The City of Brandon is pleased to provide an update on the progress for Brandon’s Community Sportsplex. Last year, we asked for your feedback on the future of this crucial community resource. We want to thank you for your input and support as we work to revitalize this vital community asset. Our Community Sportsplex is more than just a facility; it’s the foundation of our community where children, seniors, and families come together to have fun, stay healthy, create lasting memories, and build community spirit. The Sportsplex ice arena has been shut down since March 2023 due to safety issues with an obsolete ammonia ice plant. The decision to install a new ice plant rather than repairing the old one was based on the priority of ensuring the well-being of our residents. The new facility will exceed current safety standards, offering a secure environment for everyone. The total cost of the project is estimated at $6.5 million, up from the initial projected cost of $4 million. The new upgrades include the new ice plant, as well as improvements to the ventilation, dehumidification, and cooling systems, along with the replacement of the cooling lines under the concrete pad. All this will extend the life of the facility and reduce operating costs. The upgrades to the ice arena should be finished by late 2025. We have secured $3.9 million in Strategic Infrastructure Funding from the province, and we are seeking additional funding from other sources. Although several grant opportunities have been explored and applications submitted, the City has not yet been successful in receiving funding. To ensure work can continue, we are proposing to borrow up to $3.5 million to cover expected costs of the Sportsplex Ice Arena and additional future upgrades. A public hearing will take place at the regular Council Meeting on Monday, July 8. By-law No. 7393 will also be presented to City Council for first reading on that date, which will provide three options with a recommendation from City Administration. These proposed updates align with our vision of offering a secure and updated ice arena for our community. We encourage our community to stay involved and informed as we go through the developments that will shape the future of our Sportsplex, a key element of recreation and community life in Brandon. Together, we will ensure that our Sportsplex remains a safe and valued space for generations to come.

Jay Thiesen on Sunday came from behind to win his second straight—and fourth overall—Grey Owl men's’ golf tournament, presented by IG Wealth Management. Thiesen, playing in the second last group of the championship flight, fired a 1-under-par 71 in the second round for a two-round total of even-par 144 at breezy and cool Clear Lake Golf Course. That was good enough for a two-stroke victory over first round co-leader Ty Lewis of Shilo (71-75—146). Thiesen joins Elmhurst’s Jimmy Doyle as a four-time champ. Only two other golfers have more titles: Breezy Bend’s Garth Collings is the career leader with 11 victories, while Saskatoon’s Jim Scissons has seven. Thiesen was steady throughout on Sunday, shooting 35 on the front nine and cruising to his title with an even-par 36 on the much tougher back nine. Lewis and MacGregor’s Darcy Howarth were the first-round co-leaders thanks to opening 71s. Lewis shot 39 on the back nine Sunday, while Howarth carded a 92 to fall out of contention. Wheat City’s Nolan Ritchie (72-75—147) and Elmhurst’s Patrick Perrin (74-73—147) tied for third, while Clear Lake’s Jared Jacobson (73-75—148), a two-time winner of the event, placed fifth. Collings won his fourth Greyer Owl title—and second in a row—for those age 60 and over. Collings (76-76—152) won the first playoff hole against Calgary’s Jack McDiarmid (74-78—152), who captured his one and only Grey Owl title 50 years ago this weekend. There was no media flight this year due to a lack of entries. All final scores will be available at thegreyowl.ca. FINAL Jay Thiesen, Russell 73-71—144 Ty Lewis, Shilo 71-75—146 Nolan Ritchie, Wheat City 72-75—147 Patrick Perrin, Elmhurst 74-73—147 Jared Jacobson, Clear Lake 73-75—148 Todd Slatnik, Breezy Bend 75-74—149 Marcus Friess, Estevan SK 77-72—149 (submitted article)

The blustery northwest winds continued on Saturday at the 62nd annual Grey Owl men’s golf tournament, presented by IG Wealth Management, and they prevented anyone from breaking par at the beautiful Clear Lake Golf Course. That means Ty Lewis of Shilo and Darcy Howarth of MacGregor will be sleeping on the lead Saturday night. They both shot 1-under-par 71s on Friday and will be part of the final group on championship Sunday. Two former champions and an ex-runner up posted the best score on Saturday. Three-time champ Jay Thiesen of Russell, two-time winner Jared Jacobson of Clear Lake and 2023 runner-up Kolby Day of Wheat City all recorded 1-over-par 73s. Wheat City’s Nolan Ritchie shot an even-par 72 on Friday and will be in the final group with Lewis, Howarth and Day, teeing off at 10:50 a.m. There are nine players within four shots of the lead. Those who shot first-round scores of 77 or better qualified for the championship flight, although players are allowed to opt out of vying for the title if they so choose. Eighteen players qualified for the championship flight. The tournament consists of 36 holes over three days. The low 16 and ties after the first round will make up the championship flight, which will tee off on Sunday morning. View Sunday tee times. (article submitted)

Shilo’s Ty Lewis and MacGregor’s Darcy Howarth were the lone golfers to break par Friday during first-day action at the 62nd annual Grey Owl men’s golf tournament, presented by IG Wealth Management, at Clear Lake Golf Course. Lewis went out in 3 under par on the front nine and shot a 2-over-par 38 on the much tougher back nine to fire a 1-under-par 71. Howarth, meanwhile, carded nines of 35 and 36. They have a one-shot lead over Wheat City’s Nolan Ritchie, who had nines of 34 and 38. Calgary’s Jack McDiarmid, who won the Grey Owl 50 years ago this weekend, opened with a 74, as did Wheat City’s Jason Thorpe. Breezy Bend’s Todd Slatnik shot 38-37—75. Eleven-time Grey Owl winner Garth Collings of Breezy Bend opened the tournament with a 76, as did Shilo’s Dylan Williamson, Wheat City’s Jarod Crane and Portage’s Owen Gillespie. Another former champ, Russell’s Brad Clement, opened with a 7-over-par 79. The tournament consists of 36 holes over three days. The low 16 and ties after the first round will make up the championship flight, which will tee off on Sunday morning. The rest of the field, including reigning champion Jay Thiesen, will play their first rounds on Saturday, and some players will complete their second and final round in the 36-hole tournament. Saturday’s tee times and more information can be found at thegreyowl.ca.

The 2024 MJHL Draft, featuring Manitoba prospects born in 2008. was held earlier today. League champions, the Winkler Flyers drafted first after acquiring the number-one pick in a trade with the Winnipeg Freeze this past season. With the pick, they selected Layne Schofield, a forward out of La Salle, MB who last season suited up with the Rink H.A. Winnipeg U17 Prep team. Jonah Lemoine was the first Brandon player selected going to the Portage Terriers with the 9th overall selection in the 1st round. Lemoine was a member of the Brandon Wheat Kings U18 AAA club last season where the forward amassed 45 points in 44 regular season games. Teammate Jaxon Brick was the second Brandon prospect selected going in the 2nd round, 19th overall to the Swan Valley Stampeders. A number of other players from the Wheat City were drafted Sunday including: Cole Dupuis: OCN Blizzard, 3rd round 28th overall Grady Taylor: Virden Oil Capitals, 3rd round, 37th overall Ethan Stanley: Winkler Flyers, 4th round, 42nd overall Nolan Saunderson: Portage Terries, 5th round, 65th overall Cole LoBreau: Swan Valley Stampeders, 6th round, 68th overall The complete draft list can be viewed here.