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Highlights of Recent Developments:

Brandon is constantly growing, changing and expanding; the following is a sample selection of developments and by no means a complete listing.

A new 79 room hotel will be constructed in Brandon. Construction will begin in the fall of 2010 and the hotel is expected to open in the Spring / Summer of 2011. About 43,000 square footage is the estimated size of the new building.
December 2009 – Construction has begun on an 80 bed expansion at Brandon Correctional Centre. The project will add low to medium security bed space to the present mix of custody units in the adult correctional system, increasing the ideal capacity of Brandon Correctional Centre from 164 to 244 inmates. The centre accommodates both sentenced inmates and those awaiting trial. Substantial completion of the structure is expected in mid-2010, with occupancy scheduled for the fall of next year.
Funding of nearly $1 million will support the construction or renovation of five early learning centre’s in Brandon and help create 197 child-care spaces under the Family Choices initiative. Assiniboine Early Learning Centre will expand its infant and preschool services on the Victoria Street Campus of Assiniboine Community College. Brandon YMCA South will establish a fourth child-care program offering infant and preschool services in south Brandon. The Brandon University Early Learning Centre will build an addition to its existing facility and expand infant and preschool services. Kokum's Little Friends will renovate existing space adjacent to its current facility and expand its infant and preschool programming. Victoria Day Care Centre will complete a major renovation to expand services and improve its preschool program. The province is also investing $86,000 in new equipment, accessibility and enhanced green space for 19 centre’s in Brandon. Manitoba's five-year initiative for early learning and child care was launched in April 2008, funding for 2,850 child-care spaces has been announced. The province is well on its way to meeting its commitment of funding 6,500 spaces and 35 new child-care sites by 2013
Construction is underway on a $24-million, Western Manitoba Cancer Centre that will provide radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and outpatient care. The new facility will include radiation therapy and chemotherapy units as well as: a supportive care area including offices for a pharmacist and a dietician as well as support services for emotional, social and spiritual health for patients and their families; the introduction of effective and efficient practices to help patients and families navigate the cancer journey; an outpatient clinic with work areas and exam rooms; a quiet area for patients and family members; and volunteer space. Construction of the project is expected to create 328 construction jobs over the course of the project, which is scheduled to be completed by late 2010. Services are anticipated to begin at the new centre in the spring 2011.
A new hotel will be constructed on the Trans Canada Hwy. Construction of a new Motel 6 has begun and is scheduled for completion in summer 2010. The hotel will have 89 rooms with approximately 20 of those being extended stay rooms featuring full kitchenettes and eating areas. The several million dollar project will feature the light and open living area design of the Motel 6 Phoenix prototype, including a 24 hour food and beverage market place, bright colours, meeting facilities and hot tub.
In 2009, the Brandon Municipal Airport was successful in receiving 1.5 million in funding for the installation of an Instrument Landing System (ILS). This ILS project was funded under the Communities Component of the Building Canada Infrastructure Program, of which is funded equally by Federal and Provincial governments and the City of Brandon. This investment in the installation of an ILS at The Brandon Municipal Airport will allow the City of Brandon and Southwestern Manitoba the opportunity to improve the long-term economics of this region by diversifying the local economy, providing alternatives to economic barriers for airport development, increased safety for life flights, attracting regularly scheduled passenger service, and enhancing the overall quality of life for residents in the Southwestern Manitoba Community. The installation of the ILS system will be completed by September 1, 2010.
Construction is almost complete on the new $8.7 million fire hall. The new 30,000-square-foot building will house the fire hall and associated offices as well as the 911 communications centre. In addition to providing space for emergency vehicles, the new fire hall will include a kitchen, day room, space for a museum, a physical fitness room, a classroom and a 50-foot functional hose tower that can also be used as a training facility.
Designs for the new $13 million dollar police station located on the corner of Victoria Avenue and 10^th Street are complete. A tender for the building’s construction could potentially be advertised in May. Features of the new station: Brandon's proposed new police station on the corner of Victoria Avenue and 10th Street will feature, among other things: 35,000 sq ft on main floor, 4,000 sq ft in basement and 1,000 sq ft on the partial mezzanine. 1,600 sq ft forensic garage and an 875 sq ft “sally port” (prisoner’s garage). Seven dedicated holding rooms with video monitoring, fingerprint room, two breath test rooms and four prisoner interview rooms. A wiretap room that could be used for crisis negotiation situations; a separate victims services area at the front of the building, complete with a “soft room” for sensitive interviews relating to sexual assault or child related crimes; a partnership with the RCMP’s forensic identification unit which would see a pair of RCMP officers housed on site.
A multi party partnership was established between three levels of government and private industry to facilitate the construction of an industrial waste water treatment facility. The new facility has been designed to accommodate residential waste for the next 25 years, ensure compliance with recently enacted treatment guidelines and provide additional capacity for the handling of industrial waste. Phase 2 of the project was completed in June 2009, setting the foundation for the third and final phase which will result in an integrated municipal and industrial waste treatment facility, increased capacity and a bio solid solution for the city.
The YMCA is expanding. The expansion includes a Junior Olympic-sized pool, which is six lanes and 25 meters in length, as well as a recreational pool which will feature "beach front entry". The new facilities also include a large aquatic spa, wheel chair accessible hot tub, the "lazy river," and waterslides. A unique feature will be a "floating floor". The pool will be able to accommodate both youngsters who need a shallow depth and advanced swimmers who prefer deeper waters. In addition to the aquatic facilities, the expansion includes a new gym, multipurpose rooms, an exercise studio, and a new fitness studio combining cardio and muscular equipment. The facility will also house the rock climbing wall and a children's play structure. The YMCA plans to make use of its current building by converting the current fitness area into a 48 space daycare. "Green" technology will improve the building's energy and water efficiency. Pool water will be used to flush toilets, thus saving water. The YMCA is currently finalizing agreements with the City of Brandon; MCM Architects are architects of record. Construction will begin prior to freeze up and will take approximately 18 months to complete. Tender contracts will be accepted in the fall of this year.
The provincial government is investing up to $5.31 million towards a new fitness centre for Brandon University. The fitness centre will include: two full scale gymnasiums, weight training equipment, indoor walking track and an athletic therapy centre. The new facility, which will be located on Brandon University campus adjacent to the existing gymnasium, will more than double the size of the current space.
Conceptual design work on the approximately $1.1 million, 25,000 square foot Kristopher Campbell Skateboard Park Plaza has been completed. The design pays homage to Brandon’s historical roots by building on the memory of the Prince Eddy Hotel, one of Brandon’s early 20th century railway hotels that previously occupied the site. The design also incorporates significant landscaping features that will set it apart from traditional skate parks that tend to be mostly concrete. The Kristopher Campbell Skateboard Park Plaza is intended to set a new benchmark for regional skate parks in North America. Construction began November 6, 2009, and is expected to open August 1, 2010.
On January 4 the $16.5 million expansion and renovations at the base athletics facility – General Strange Hall were complete. A four lane 170 metre running track is a highlight of the new and improved facility. Two additional gym floors, a new cardio room that looks out over Aldershot Road, new fitness staff offices, an aerobic room, additional washrooms and change rooms, a sports clothing and equipment store, as well as an expanded foyer and driveway up to the main doors round out the enhancements. The poor and theatre area were maintained. In total, the project added about 30,000 square feet to the existing 29,000 sq ft facility. The enhancement has also been a boost for the local economy as approximately 85 jobs were created throughout the course of the work.
Brandon University is expanding their gymnasium to become the Brandon University Healthy Living Centre. This 45,000 square foot, $18.8 million dollar expansion will provide an indoor walking track, cardio fitness facility, multi-purpose space, additional classrooms, 3 full sized gymnasiums, expanded sports medicine facility, 1300 new bleacher seats, expanded change rooms, a new Bobcat Athletics Hall of Fame, new equipment, and over 150 additional parking stalls. The existing 34,000 square feet will be fully renovated and upgraded to meet current and LEED standards. Construction for this project is estimated to begin in early 2010; it will create approximately 7 new jobs upon completion in the spring of 2011.
In April 2009, Brandon University began construction on a new Physical Plant building. The new facility includes 11,000 square feet of finished space and 2600 square feet of undeveloped space for future use. The new facility provides greater efficiencies, manages the environment more effectively, allows for more appropriate handling of goods and provides better health and safety conditions. This $3.9 million dollar project was complete on January 21, 2010
The Shopper’s Mall Annex on 18^th and Richmond Avenue has undergone major renovations. Pennington’s, MXM and Addition Elle have amalgamated to create one store, 1 Plus. The North end of the building was completely torn down and an expanded Shoppers Drug Mart relocated to the new building in January 8^th, 2009. The new location doubled the former square footage to 17,000 square feet, houses a photo lab and created 7-10 new jobs.
Manitoba Transportation and Government Services is in the midst of constructing two new dual-lane bridges to replace the existing two-lane 18^th St. bridge across the Assiniboine River. The project is estimated to cost $22 million. The roadworks for the new bridges started in 2007. Construction on the first bridge began in 2008 and was completed in July 2009. Construction on the second bridge is underway and is scheduled to be completed in 2010. The design for both bridges allows for three-metre sidewalks providing space for bicycles to use the bridge.
In the summer of 2008, Best Sleep Centre Inc relocated to Rosser Avenue, expanding their retail location to a super centre store, increasing their square footage from 2500 to 7500 square feet.
A new retail strip was created on 18^th Street in May 2008. The 5,500 square foot, steel and stucco building is fully occupied and houses 5 retail spaces.
Construction started in June 2007 for a new TSC Store; the first to be built outside the province of Ontario. The new, 24,000 square foot farm supply store opened in November 2007 and created 12 new jobs.
In January 2008, the Province announced its intention to invest more than $20 million to develop an expanded western Manitoba regional cancer centre that will provide chemotherapy and outpatient care in addition to making Brandon the first community outside of Winnipeg to provide radiation therapy. The facility will include; a radiation therapy department, a chemotherapy unit, a supportive care area including offices for a pharmacist, a dietician, a social worker and a psychologist, an outpatient clinic, a quiet area for patients and family members, and volunteer space. Construction of the project should be complete by October 2010.
The Westman Regional Laboratory $7 million dollar relocation and redevelopment project commenced in June 2009. The project includes the relocation of nuclear medicine services to the Brandon Regional Health Centre and the remaining dollars will fund the reconstruction of the Brandon Regional Laboratory and lab redevelopment. The laboratory is expected to be operational in late 2010.
Construction was completed in October 2008 on a new commercial building with three tenant spaces at the corner of Richmond Avenue and 9^th Street.
In November 2007, Playtime Entertainment Inc. opened in a new building on Park Avenue. With investment dollars totalling over $500,000 the new business created approximately 15 new jobs.
Heritage CO-OP completed construction of a $5 million gas bar, convenience store and car wash in the summer of 2008.
In 2007 Wyeth Organics began a large scale infrastructure upgrade to the plant which was completed in 2009. In 2002, Wyeth underwent a $ 1.3 million expansion.
The historic North Hill property is in the process of becoming the new home to Assiniboine Community College. The first phase of the renovations is complete and the former Nurses Residence building officially opened in October 2007. Phase 2, with an estimated capital cost of $45 million, is scheduled to be completed in time for the commencement of classes in September 2010. The facility will be called the Len Evans Centre for Trades and Technology and will double apprenticeship opportunities at ACC. The centre will have the capacity to deliver apprenticeship and training opportunities to 1,404 students, up from a current capacity of 627 including 500 new apprenticeship spaces. The centre will be built to the standards of the Manitoba Green Building Policy. Phase three will relocate the remaining college programs to the historic Parkland building and is scheduled for completion in 2011.
Renaissance Station, a multi million dollar development in Downtown that includes 66 condos ranging from 950 to 1250 sq ft of class A commercial space and 80-100 heated underground parking stalls was completed in 2008.
Located in the heart of Brandon’s Downtown business district, the 10^th Street Emporium is 25,000 square feet of upgraded, historically preserved, storefront space with character, above which are 44 historical residential apartments. The commercial space has been completely upgraded and is now ready for new tenants. Currently, BDO Dunwoody occupies 10,200 square feet of the facility. Across the street is an additional 27,000 square feet of opportunity, which will be redeveloped to compliment the 10^th Street Emporium. 77 parking stalls are available for tenants and customers.
Shindico Realty developed a 440,000 square foot Power Centre (Corral Centre) on 18th Street and Kirkcaldy Drive. The power centre is fully developed and currently contains:
Manitoba Liquor Mart – opened in late 2008, this new 6,300 sq ft retail outlet features a specialty wine component.
Home Depot - 115 employees, 113,500 sq ft - officially opened on June 24^th, 2004.
Walmart - 133,555 sq ft, opened August 3, 2005.
Mark’s Work Wearhouse: Relocated and opened a 14,000 sq. ft store in November 2004, making it the largest of its kind in Manitoba.
Safeway opened December 1, 2005. This 55,000 square foot store is the second largest in Canada. The Lifestyle design, a first for the Westman region is nearly double the size of other locations. Offerings include boutique departments with portion sizes of nutritious and delectable items ideal for singles or large families.
Future Shop – 29,000 sq ft, opened May 31, 2005 and created 50-60 new jobs.
Winners opened April 6^th, 2006. The new store occupies 25,000 square feet and employs 40 – 50 full time and part time staff. This store is the only Winners located in Manitoba outside Winnipeg.
Montana’s Cookhouse – This $2 million dollar investment created a 5,180 square foot restaurant that opened in January 2006.
Subway – 14,000 sq ft, opened in the summer of 2005 and created 8-10 new jobs.
Starbucks – opened in the summer of 2005 and created 20 new jobs.
Chatters Salon and Beauty Supply – Offers the largest selection of beauty products available in Canada and has 10 full time stylists available to the public. Chatters opened December 1, 2005.
Electronic Boutique (EB Games) – opened November 2005 and created 5 new jobs.
MTS Connect – opened December 10, 2005 and created 8 new jobs.
The Source by Circuit City – opened December 2, 2005 and created 6 new jobs.
Dollarama -19,000 sq ft – opened October 2006, created 20 new jobs
Western Financial Group – Barker Agencies relocated and opened in May 2006.
Tan FX – The Corral Centre location is the 12^th for Tan FX, a UV-free spray tanning and UV tanning bed service in a spa like atmosphere. Tan FX opened in April 2006.
Ultracuts opened April 27, 2006.
Michaels – The Arts & Crafts Store opened in August 2006 – 17,000 sq ft.
Pet Value – a pet food and supplies retailer opened August 2006. Pet Valu is 1600 square feet and created 4 new jobs.
Sleep Country – opened November 2006.
Moores – A men’s clothing retailer relocated and opened in October 2006.
Reitmans – A women’s clothing retailer, opened it’s second Brandon location in October 2006. Reitmans occupies 6,000 square feet and created 12 new jobs.
Rice Financial relocated to the Corral Centre on January 29th, 2007. The company currently employs 7 full time staff.
Vern’s Pizza opened in August 2009.
Warehouse One relocated and opened its doors in August 2007.
Ashley Furniture opened in late fall 2007.
The Paddock located just south of the Corral Centre opened two separate commercial buildings occupying a total of 20, 800 square feet in May 2006. The buildings include a 5,000 sq ft Westoba Credit Union and a strip mall that is roughly 13,000 sq ft.
Sueno Apparel opened in March 2006. Sueno is a 1200 square foot high-end clothing and apparel store, which has created 5 new jobs.
Cab Clothing opened September 13, 2006 and created 2 new jobs.
Northern Securities opened May 15, 2006.
Wheat City Medical Clinic and Pharmacy opened in spring 2007 and employs 7 doctors and several pharmacy and support staff.
Windburn Orthodontics relocated and opened in 2008.
In late 2007, Westoba Credit Union completed construction of their new corporate office. The three story, 29,000 square foot building houses their corporate and executive offices. A second floor pedway, which joins the adjacent banking branch and corporate offices, was completed in 2009. The existing branch on 10^th and Princess also received some interior renovations. Total project value was approximately $8 million.
In September 2006, Maple Leaf Foods confirmed their intent to add a second shift at the Brandon facility, increasing their initial work force of 1500 by approximately 700. The second shift is now complete and included significant capital investments including $11 million in upgrades to the Brandon industrial waste water treatment facility and modifications to the barns and coolers at the Maple Leaf Foods Brandon facility to accommodate increased processing as part of the second shift expansion.
In 2008 Canexus Limited completed another $50 million dollar expansion project that increased annual production from roughly 264,000 tonnes per year to approximately 297,000 tonnes per year. Canexus has completed several previous expansions, the most recent of which was complete in October 2004 valued at approximately $60 million and increased the plants capacity by one-third and added 12 full time jobs. The Brandon plant is the largest manufacturer of sodium chlorate in the world.
Behlen Industries LP completed a three-phase expansion project. Phase 1 was an office space addition valued at $500,000 and was complete in May of 2006. Phase 2 was completed in September 2006 and consisted of the installation of new equipment and a production line expansion that will improve production by 50%. Phase 3 was completed in early 2009 and included an expansion of the warehousing and production area. The overall expansion increased their capacity by 30% and the plant size increased by 2,232 square meters to 20,250 square meters. It is anticipated that new growth in the business, coupled with new plant efficiencies will smooth out seasonal layoffs and stabilize the work force requirements in the plant
In June 2007, Modern Industrial Structures Brandon, a manufacturer of relocatable accommodations for the mining & oilfield industry in Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia established a Brandon operation, creating approximately 28 full time positions comprised of a small office staff, journeyman carpenters and production workers.
St. Michael’s Academy was torn down in the fall of 2005 and construction of a new luxury senior’s apartment complex – Victoria Landing Retirement Residence was completed in spring 2007. The four storey, 134-suite structure features a central dining area, small theatre, spa and workout lounge. The historical aspects of the 1910 building were not salvageable, however the spire from the top has been placed in the courtyard as a reminder of the property’s history.
Richmond Industrial Business Park (R.I.B.P.) has been developed in the core of Brandon's industrial sector. Richmond Industrial Business Park has over 150 acres of Industrial land available for development. R.I.B.P has the potential to develop buildings of any size upon the request of an interested client. Estimated building sizes range from 36,900 sq. ft. to 58,386 sq. ft., but are subject to change upon request.
In November 2006, Stream ‘n Wood opened a new and expanded store on 17^th Street North. The new, 16,000 square foot, two story building houses Stream ‘n Wood Athletics store which has doubled from it’s previous size and occupies 6,000 square feet on the main floor and 3,300 square feet on the second level. The expansion created an additional two full time positions. In March 2007 Lady of the Lake, expanded their operations to occupy the remaining 11,000 square feet, their existing operation to include a full service restaurant and pub and increased their staff compliment from 10 to 30 employees. The investment dollars for this project are valued at 1.6 million.
In September 2006 a new Medical Transportation Co-ordination Centre (MTCC) was opened in Brandon and became the dedicated centre for the dispatch of all rural and northern emergency medical services including northern medivacs. The MTCC ensures the closest available ambulance is dispatched to emergency calls and is able to assist medical responders in locating emergency scenes through GPS technology. The new centre employs 31 staff.
Kelleher Ford built a new state of the art facility in 2006. The 3-acre development has a 35,000 square foot, two-story building, housing a full service dealership, shop and office space. A 10,000 square foot expansion from their former facility. The project was a $5 million dollar investment that resulted in enhanced services and 8-10 service staff additions.
Brandon University Faculty of Fine Arts opened the Glen P. Sutherland Art Gallery in the former Bank of Montreal building on Victoria Avenue recently. The gallery showcases and sells student art. The University also completed construction of an expanded Health Studies building on the grounds valued at approximately $ 5.1 million in August 2003. The building houses three nursing programs as well as the First Nations and Aboriginal counselling program.
Zellers relocated from Victoria Avenue to Brandon Shoppers Mall in order to facilitate a 25,000 sq ft expansion and creation of a brand new prototype store. The new 107,000 sq ft store features groceries including coolers and freezers. 40 additional positions were created as a result of this move. Doors opened to the new location May 13, 2006.
Brandon’s Keystone Centre celebrated the grand opening of the new Agriculture Centre of Excellence on March 15, 2006. The construction project valued at more than 8 million dollars with over 4.6 million dollars of local trades involved. The 100,000 square foot facility includes a show ring and seating for up to 700 people.
The Manitoba Liquor Control Commission venue on Victoria Avenue moved into a newly constructed 11,000 square foot building on the northwest corner of 10^th Street and Victoria November 1, 2005.
The former North Hill IGA was converted to Value Village and the store opened March 3^rd, 2006. The new store employs 50 team members.
A 21,800 sq. ft. Giant Tiger store opened on May 28^th, 2005. Located on Victoria Avenue, the new store employs over 50 staff and was the 13^th Giant Tiger store in Western Canada.
In February 2004, Canad Inns opened their $16 million hotel complex consisting of 159 guest rooms, a glass enclosed two-story waterslide and pool area, 152 seat Aalto’s Restaurant with two 20 person capacity private dining rooms, a 592 capacity Great Western Roadhouse Bar & Grill, 75 seat Playmaker’s Lounge and a 200 seat Tavern United.
ACI Properties of Winnipeg developed a 17,000 square foot pharmacy and retail area at Dennis Street and Victoria Avenue East, near the Brandon Regional Health Centre. The space is currently occupied by a Shoppers Drug Mart, which opened in October 2005.
In 2006 Canadian Tire opened their expanded retail store. The expansion included 15,000 sq ft of retail space and 5,000 sq ft of warehouse.
The Capitol Theatre, now owned by Empire Theatres, located next to the Shoppers Mall completed a $4.8 million facelift and expansion. Five stadium-style theatres were added to the south of the existing theatre. The original cinema underwent extensive renovations to its four theatres and concession area, the seating was replaced with stadium style seating, the game area expanded and fast food franchises were added to the concession area. The theatre expansion created approximately 40 new part-time jobs.
Construction of Stan’s Fine Foods’ new store at 650 1^st Street was completed in 2005. The new store includes an expanded deli, fresh meat and take-out services, additional departments and an on-site butcher. This 8,000 sq. foot outlet created 4 new jobs.
A new Boston Pizza restaurant at 12^th Street and Richmond Avenue was completed in March 2005. The 6,500 square foot restaurant seats 250, roughly 100 seats in the lounge, 100 in the restaurant and 50 on the patio.
Construction of a new 42,900 sq. ft Sobeys Store adjacent to Canadian Tire and beside Staples was completed with an official store opening on October 23^rd, 2003.
Staples opened a new stand-alone store approximately 25,500 sq. ft in size on January 25th, 2003.
Petro Canada constructed a new bulk fuel farm with office and warehouse space on the North end of Brandon in two phases, valued at roughly $ 2.5 million. Phase one was completed in late 2002 and the total project was completed in early 2004.
An $11.1 million Heritage Co-op Grocery store, car wash and gas bar on Richmond Avenue was completed on May 31, 2003. The 45,000 square foot building generated 20 on-site trades’ jobs per week for 38 weeks. The gas pumps and convenience store opened in April 2003 and the grocery store opened May 22nd, 2003 employing 140 full and part-time people.
A new $ 3.7 million state-of-the-art recycling centre officially opened on April 28th, 2003. The centre was constructed at the Eastview landfill site.
A $650,000 flower garden located at the Eleanor Kidd Park opened on July 1st, 2002 after four years of fundraising, design and construction. The gardens include flowerbeds, shrubs, a fountain, a sculpture and a performance stage covering an area about the size of a soccer field.
MB Hydro completed a $180 million natural gas combustion turbine in 2002. The twin turbines can produce 130 megawatts of electricity each, enough energy for two cities the size of Brandon. The plant, which also burns coal for electricity, is being used as a backup power generating station for the province’s hydro system.
Thunderbird Bowl completed the construction of a new facility that includes 20 bowling lanes, a restaurant, mezzanine lounge, billiards, pro shop and arcade in fall 2001.
In 2001, The City of Brandon, recognizing the important role of air service in Brandon partnered with the Federal Government to repave the entire 6500-foot runway.
The Town Centre expanded in 2001 and upgraded with the addition of a new atrium, escalator and shops as well as the addition of the Library Arts Complex.
Shoppers Mall Brandon underwent an $ 8 million upgrade and expansion in fall 2000.
Simplot Canada (now Koch Fertilizer Canada) has undergone three major expansions and upgrades in the past few years with a total value of approximately $300 million.