City of Brandon Parks & Recreation Services is pleased to inform the public that the Skating Oval, located immediately west of the Parks Complex on 2020 McGregor Avenue, will be open Friday, December 19, 2025 at 4:00 PM. Music & Amenities • Seasonal music will play daily from 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM. • Fire pits have been added for public enjoyment. • Portable toilets will be available in the coming days. • Warming shacks, portable washroom facilities, flood lighting, ambient music, and fire pits to cook on or warm up around are provided free of charge. Hours of operation for warming shacks: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM daily, weather permitting, throughout the winter months. Lighting Displays • Lights around the skating oval will be on nightly from 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM throughout the winter season. • No public vehicles are allowed in the direct area of the display. Please park in designated areas on McGregor Avenue or Hilton Avenue and walk through to enjoy the lights. • For safety, please view the displays at a safe distance and avoid walking where power cords are present. Toboggan Hills • Hanbury Hill Toboggan Hill (off Braecrest Drive in Sir Winston Churchill Park) is open for the season. • Warm‑up gazebo: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM • Decorative & flood lighting: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM nightly • Other toboggan hills: Rideau Park, Wheat City Golf Course/Recreation Centre • Smaller sliding hills: 34th Street & Cherry Crescent Sliding Hill, Parkdale Park Sliding Hill Families are encouraged to enjoy all of these free winter recreation offerings. Please note that all areas are unsupervised.

Hockey fans will have a chance to celebrate past and present talent when an alumni game is held between the U18 AAA Brandon Wheat Kings and the U18 AA Southwest Cougars at the J&G Homes Arena this weekend. ( Saturday evening, Alumni Game: 5:45 PM Puck Drop). Former Wheat Kings scheduled to take to the ice include Matt Calvert, Ryan White, Scott Hlady and Riley Day while Ryan Adams, Joel Whiteside, Corey Billaney, and Ryan Albrecht are to suit up for the Cougars. The special matchup is scheduled to bring former players back to the ice, offering spectators a unique opportunity to watch alumni from both programs lace up their skates once again. The game will highlight the rich hockey history shared by the two organizations and the role they continue to play in developing young athletes across the region. The Brandon Wheat Kings U18 AAA program and the Southwest Cougars U18 AA program have both been instrumental in preparing players for higher levels of hockey, and the alumni game is intended to recognize that legacy. It also provides current players with a chance to see where the game can take them and to connect with those who previously wore their respective jerseys.  

Brandon's Colten Worthington (Virden Oil Caps) and Ethan Stewart (Dauphin Kings) helped Team Canada West capture silver at the World Junior A Challenge in Trois-Rivières, Quebec! The pair are former teammates for 2 seasons (2022-23 and 2023-2024) with the Brandon U18 AAA Wheat Kings. Additional news coming from U18 AAA Wheat King alumni. Calen Addison, a defensemen, was recently called up to the New Jersey Devils from their farm team in Utica (AHL). Luke Lepper (Salmon Arm Silverbacks) has been named to the roster for the Canada vs. World Game by the BCHL as part of their 2026 All-Star Weekend being held in Spruce Grove, Alta. Earlier in the season, Lepper had also committed to Stonehill College in Easton, Massachusetts. Carter Sawchuk sits in second place in the Big 6 Hockey League (Saskatchewan Senior hockey) scoring race with an eye-popping 36 points in only 8 games for the Moosomin Rangers. Goalie Ethan McCallum was traded to Penticton by the Saskatoon Blades. McCallum spent the 2019-20 season with the Brandon U15 AAA Wheat Kings. WWE & All Japan Star "The British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith Jr will be headlining the CWE's 17th Anniversary Tour with a stop scheduled in Brandon at Houston's on Sunday, February 15. The son of the late, great "British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith takes a break from his full time schedule in All Japan Pro Wrestling to return to Canada to compete with the elite! Brandon has been awarded the honour of hosting the Softball Canada U17 Women’s National Championship in 2027 at the Ashley Neufeld Softball Complex. This exciting announcement from Softball Canada marks another major national event coming to our city. The U17 championship will bring teams from across the country to compete in August 2027, showcasing elite young talent and providing an economic and community boost for the Westman region. Deloraine, MB native Ashton Bell was named captain of the Vancouver Goldeneyes of the Professional Women’s Hockey League, marking a major milestone in her professional career. Her appointment as captain highlights both her impact on the ice and her role as a leader within the growing women’s professional hockey landscape.

December 13, 2025 — After months of anticipation, Manitoba’s largest ski destination, Asessippi Ski Area & Resort, officially opened its slopes today, ushering in the 2025-26 winter season. Skiers, snowboarders, and winter enthusiasts from across the province and beyond hit the hill early Saturday morning, eager to enjoy fresh snow and cool temperatures that have primed the resort for a successful launch. Located north of Inglis, Manitoba, within the scenic Asessippi Provincial Park, the resort boasts 25 runs and multiple chairlifts spread across a vertical rise of over 120 m, making it a favourite winter playground for both families and thrill-seekers alike. Snowmakers and grooming crews worked around the clock in recent weeks as temperatures stayed consistently below freezing, building a strong base and ensuring safe early-season conditions. Resort officials say the cold weather has created ideal conditions for efficient snowmaking — a critical element in preparing the terrain for opening day For many locals and winter travellers, Asessippi’s opening is a seasonal highlight. The resort not only offers varied terrain for all ability levels but also provides a vibrant winter village experience, complete with rental services, lessons for all ages, and dining options to keep guests warm between runs. travelmanitoba.com With optimism high and winter weather setting in across the region, Asessippi is poised for what organizers hope will be a memorable season filled with fresh snow, community gatherings, and plenty of time on the mountain for families and outdoor adventurers.  

The Manitoba government is launching a new Business Security Rebate Program to help businesses repair property damage and make security upgrades, Justice Minister Matt Wiebe announced today. “Our government is stepping up to support business owners with the Manitoba Business Security Rebate,” said Wiebe. “We came together with community stakeholders and our partners in the police to tailor this rebate to address the security needs of Manitoba businesses, workers and communities.” The Business Security Rebate Program has $10 million available to provide rebates on a first-come, first-served basis to Manitoba businesses with 75 or fewer employees per location. Eligible businesses can apply for up to $2,500 per location to offset the cost of purchasing security equipment or repairing property damage on or after Aug. 23, 2024. Eligible upgrades include: security and doorbell cameras; alarm systems; motion detectors; window protection; anti-graffiti film and paints; and security fencing and lighting. Eligible repairs and expenses include: broken windows; broken doors and locks; damages from forced entry or arson; insurance deductibles related to damage repairs; graffiti removal; replacement of signage and cash systems; and temporary boarding or fencing to secure premises until permanent repairs can be made. “Store-based investments that create safer, more secure environments are one of the most effective ways to deter crime,” said John Graham, director of government relations, Retail Council of Canada. “This nationally unprecedented commitment is yet another strong example of the Manitoba government’s leadership across Canada, demonstrating a clear dedication to supporting safer retail and restaurant spaces while advancing meaningful crime reduction.” The Manitoba government initially launched the Manitoba Security Rebate Program in June 2024 to provide up to $300 to thousands of homeowners and renters for equipment to protect properties. In October, the Manitoba government opened a $2-million intake for homeowners and renters for purchases made on or after Aug. 23, 2024. Businesses can apply for security rebates and read the full list of eligible and ineligible expenses at: www.manitoba.ca/justice/securityrebate.html.