The idea of the Keystone Centre was first mentioned in 1958, at a meeting of the board of directors of the Manitoba Winter Fair. The Manitoba Winter Fair wanted a new facility because the old Wheat City Arena had a leaking roof and a deteriorating west wall. The old facility also had limited space and the Winter Fair felt it needed more space for expansion. The Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba also had problems with their facilities, such as old barns and poor display areas. The idea of the Keystone Centre was put on hold until 1969, when the boards of the Provincial Exhibition and the Manitoba Winter Fair joined together as the Provincial Exhibition Association of Manitoba and the Wheat City Arena was sold and demolished. The original estimate for the cost of the Keystone Centre facilities was $4.5 million and funding would be proportioned so that the federal and provincial governments would each put in one-third of the money, with the rest coming from local donations. The financial campaign for the Keystone Centre began in 1970, and construction began in November 1970. The grand opening of the Centre was in March 1973, and coincided with the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair of that year.
Custodial History
This fonds was accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1998. Prior custodial history is unknown.
Scope and Content
Fonds contains many folders full of correspondence, financial statements, meeting minutes and other documents relating to the development and construction of the Keystone Centre from 1970-1974, including those from the Keystone Executive Committee, as well as the Building Committee. Fonds also contains one folder that pertains to the Brandon Area Agricultural Development Survey from 1959. This folder contains the names and locations of all farmers in the Brandon area in 1959. The Brandon Area Agricultural Development Survey was created in 1959, in order to make farming in the Brandon area more profitable. The survey was aided by Doane Agricultural Service from St. Louis, Missouri, who had success creating agricultural development programs in the United States. Fonds also contains folders from the Provincial Exhibition with correspondence, pamphlets, estimates, and studies from the 1960's. There is also one folder belonging to the Manitoba Winter Fair, which contains correspondence and financial statements relating to the Wheat City Arena. Fonds also contains information pertaining to the proposals made in the 1960's, for the building of the Keystone Centre, as well as one folder about the Keystone campaign from 1970-73. There is also one folder about the opening of the Keystone Centre, which contains newspaper clippings and guest lists. Finally, the fonds contains information about a court case involving Albert Bobyk and Robert Stewart. Stewart was the project manager for the Building Committee and Bobyk worked on the Keystone Center. The fonds includes a report about the trial of the two men who were charged with fraud involving their work on the Keystone Centre.
To the left of the photographer (in trees) was a building used to shelter and feed birds; Some ducks and geese used this facility to stay in Brandon during the winter months; From the duckpond south to Richmond Avenue was a buffalo paddock; Normally at least six each of buffalo and elk breeding stock were kept here, and we would flock to see the newborns of each.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
Duckpond on Brandon Fairgrounds, looking west
Notes
The Keystone Centre in now on this site
[Mr. Stuckey included two images on the same negative. We have separated them, numbering them M23(1) and M23(2).]
To the left of the photographer (in trees) was a building used to shelter and feed birds; Some ducks and geese used this facility to stay in Brandon during the winter months; From the duckpond south to Richmond Avenue was a buffalo paddock; Normally at least six each of buffalo and elk breeding stock were kept here, and we would flock to see the newborns of each.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
Duckpond on Brandon Fairgrounds, looking west
Notes
The Keystone Centre in now on this site
[Mr. Stuckey included two images on the same negative. We have separated them, numbering them M23(1) and M23(2).]
To the left of the photographer (in trees) was a building used to shelter and feed birds; Some ducks and geese used this facility to stay in Brandon during the winter months; From the duckpond south to Richmond Avenue was a buffalo paddock; Normally at least six each of buffalo and elk breeding stock were kept here, and we would flock to see the newborns of each.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
The Crystal Palace was built in 1904 ((Nor'West Farmer 20/08/1904); "Finishing touches" applied 1913 (Barker, p. 154); Demolished, but material saved, in 1939.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
Front view of the Crystal Palace at Brandon fairgrounds
The Crystal Palace was built in 1904 ((Nor'West Farmer 20/08/1904); "Finishing touches" applied 1913 (Barker, p. 154); Demolished, but material saved, in 1939.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
View of Crystal Palace at Brandon fairgrounds
Notes
[Images M28 and M29 are both on one 3 1/2" x 5" negative.]
Postcard shows the grandstand and race track located at the Exhibition Grounds (now the site of the Keystone Centre/Westman Communications Place) in the south end of Brandon, Manitoba. The bleachers are filled with people and spectators also line the fence alongside the track. Five harness racers are making their way along the track. An observation tower and possible gazebo for dignitaries is located inside the track.
Notes
The back of the postcard is address to Mrs. Sharpe of Banff, Alberta. A green King George One Cent stamp has been postmarked Sault Ste. Maire, Ont., July 6, 1910. The message reads: Lake Superior, My dear. How are you? Glad you are charmed with B. don't get too fat. Tell Mrs. Coates my state room companion is Miss Rutherford of B. Coll: she got on at Port Arthur. Having a lovely trip. It was hard parting at B. .......Address 14 Deer Park, Toronto. Postcard manufactured by Stedman Bros. Ltd., Brantford, Canada. S.B. 2376. Made in Germany.