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Steinbach and the surrounding region are running short of ice time as population growth and rising participation in hockey and ringette put pressure on existing facilities.

Kevin Geisheimer, general manager of the Southeast Event Centre (SEC), told Steinbach city councillors that ice bookings are nearing capacity, leaving local user groups struggling to accommodate growth while the facility also pursues major events.

“We’re in 90 to 95 per cent utilization, depending on the month,” Geisheimer shared during a presentation to the city’s Strategic Priorities Committee. The committee is made up of the full City Council sitting together.

Geisheimer explained the challenge is becoming more apparent as the region’s population grows and more people take part in ice sports. He noted that the region’s population has increased from approximately 89,000 people 25 years ago to 145,000 today, while only one new ice surface has been added during that time, at the CRRC in Niverville.

Tonight marks the start of the 2026-27 season for the SRSS Sabres, as they get ready to host Lord Selkirk at 4:00 p.m. today at the Southeast Event Centre.

Vibes high
Heading into the new year, Head Coach John Laninga is excited for what this group is looking like. “Really optimistic about this group,” he says with a grin. “We had a really competitive main camp again in the month of September. We’ve got a number of players back looking to build on the successes of last year, and (we) are really excited about the additions we have to this year’s Sabres squad.”

For LumberZone owner Joel Hartung, supporting the Steinbach Pistons and the Southeast Event Centre is about more than putting a business name on a space. It’s part of a connection to the team and community that goes back to before LumberZone even opened its doors.

Today, that connection is easy to spot inside the arena. The LumberZone Rinkside Suite gives fans a unique ice-level place to gather, watch the Pistons and experience the energy of a game from just behind the boards.

“It’s the only place in the arena you can actually be ice level, standing up at the boards and watching the hockey game,” says Michelle Sawatzky-Koop, Director of Communications, Marketing and Sales at the Southeast Event Centre.

September has been a BIG one for Stone City Coffee! 

Probably the biggest thing this month was getting Stone City Coffee into the Southeast Event Centre. Jay assembled the coffee bar, but definitely not without some help. A huge thank you to Silverpine Cabinets for saying yes every time Jay showed up with another “I need this piece built” request so he could keep getting it done to meet our deadline of Pistons Home opener, fitting and plumbing everything together. He spent days on end working on that bar, while we were also getting their team trained, figuring out equipment, menus, supplies, POS and about a hundred other little things. 

And we did it! 

The wait is almost over.

After months of preparation, offseason moves, training camps and preseason games, the Steinbach Pistons are ready to officially open the doors to another season of Junior A hockey in Steinbach.

And they want the community to be there for it.

The Pistons will host the Winkler Flyers this Saturday, September 19, at 7:00 p.m. at the Southeast Event Centre for the team’s 2026-27 home opener.

The inaugural Steinbach Pistons hot dog cook-off brought the community together with Chino’s and Sunshine Greenhouse taking the top spot.

The event, hosted at the Southeast Event Centre (SEC), featured four teams competing to create the best hot dog, with about 200 tickets sold by the end of the event.

The teams included Dynamic Chiropractic and Sport Therapy, SEC, Mix 96.7 and a combined team of Chino’s Bistro and Sunshine Greenhouse.

As the Steinbach Pistons get set for another season at the Southeast Event Centre, we’re continuing to highlight the fans and families who make game nights such a special part of the community.

For some fans, Pistons games are a lifelong tradition. For others, they are a newer experience that has quickly become part of their family routine. Regardless of how they got there, Pistons games have a way of bringing people together, both inside the rink and throughout Southeastern Manitoba.

Every Pistons fan has their own reason for coming to the rink. Through our Be A Part Of It campaign, we’re sharing some of those stories.

Hot dogs and hockey will share the spotlight at the Southeast Event Centre on Sept. 12 as four local teams compete to create a new game-day favourite for Steinbach Pistons fans.

The inaugural SEC/Steinbach Pistons Charity Hot Dog Cook Off will run from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in the Southeast Event Centre parking lot, leading into that evening’s MJHL exhibition game between the Pistons and Niverville Nighthawks.

Having the Panthers in the Southeast Events Centre provides a big opportunity to host events with teams that allow more kids to play the sport, something Plett is always pushing for.

One year after opening its doors, the Southeast Event Centre (SEC) is celebrating more than a successful first year of events. It’s celebrating the people who built it, the partnerships that continue to shape it and a community that is helping it grow into a regional destination.

For Director of Communications, Marketing and Sales Michelle Sawatzky-Koop, the first year has been one of growth.

“It’s been a year of firsts for us all. Also, a year of really trying to listen to the community and knowing that we’re going to make some mistakes,” Sawatzky-Koop says. “Then we’re going to learn from them and become better after that.”

Kevin Geisheimer will be taking over as General Manager for the Southeast Event Centre.

The Southeast Events Group Inc. or SEG is the non-profit organization that operates the Southeast Event Centre.

In early August, SEG Past President Grant Lazaruk announced that Melanie Hiebert would be stepping down as General Manager, a role she has held since November 2025.

Steinbach Pistons supporters gathered at Quarry Oaks on Aug. 20 for the team’s 15th annual Celebrity Golf Tournament.

The tournament is one of the Pistons’ major fundraisers of the year, with proceeds supporting team operations, including travel, equipment and game-day experiences for the community.

Jamie Roy, director of sales and marketing with the Pistons, said the annual event has become an important way for the organization to connect with supporters while building excitement for the upcoming season.

As the Steinbach Pistons prepare for another exciting season at the Southeast Event Centre, we’re continuing to catch up with members of the Pistons community to hear what makes being a season ticket holder so special.

While some season ticket holders have been cheering on the Pistons for years, others have recently joined the season ticket community and discovered what makes game nights so special.

One of those newer season ticket holders is Dr. Kevin Friesen and his wife Melissa Friesen from Steinbach Dental.

A pair of players work to collect stuffed animals after the teddy bear toss during a charity hockey game at the SEC Aug. 8. GRAHAM WALKER THE CARILLON

The Southeast Event Centre in Steinbach is losing its General Manager (GM).

Grant Lazaruk is President of the Southeast Events Group (SEG). He announced this week that their GM, Melanie Hiebert, will be stepping down.

“She’s made the decision that she is going to move on and pursue other opportunities,” says Lazaruk.

A new sport may be establishing itself in Steinbach.

The Southeast Event Centre played host to a pair of wheelchair rugby sessions, a sport combing basketball, rugby and soccer and played in wheelchairs, this summer including July 10.

The sessions were run by the Manitoba Wheelchair Sport Association, which brought the chairs for participants to use during the sessions. Chris Klodt is the president of the association and ran the events in Steinbach.

In the midst of a grueling July heatwave, passersby of the Southeast Event Centre on Monday could have been forgiven for giving a doubletake as reams of white felt, several Christmas trees and a dozen people wearing parkas and mitts lingered around the facility entrance under the wilting sun.

Great American Family Productions, a faith-based production company affiliated with Hallmark, chose Steinbach’s SEC to serve as an airport terminal entrance for its upcoming movie The Christmas Yes List, which will feature Hollywood veteran actors Danica McKellar and Sam Page.

Just in time for the blistering heat wave that crushed southern Manitoba, the Southeast Event Centre has installed their ice for the season.

The ice in the main rink at the SEC was removed June 1, with the centre hosting the Manitoba Fire Chiefs conference among other community events, including during Summer in the City.

“While we’ve enjoyed seeing our arenas transformed for conferences, community gatherings, and recreational programming over the past several months, we’re thrilled to be preparing for the return of ice,” SEC director of sport programming Gabriel Brandt said in a news release.

Wheelchair rugby has arrived in southeastern Manitoba, offering a chance for people outside Winnipeg to try the Paralympic sport.

Brianna Seewald says it was also a chance to find her community — and herself.

Before a car accident six years ago, she was heavily involved in organized sports.

A four-time Paralympian from Niverville helped shine a spotlight on wheelchair rugby as people from across southeastern Manitoba packed the SCU Gym at the Southeast Event Centre in Steinbach for the second of two free “Have a Go Days” this summer.

The Manitoba Wheelchair Sport Association hosted free “Have a Go Days” at the Southeast Event Centre in Steinbach on June 10 and again on Friday, July 10, introducing participants aged 13 and older to the fast-paced sport of wheelchair rugby.

With year-round ice now available at the Southeast Event Centre, the Steinbach Skating Club is launching its first-ever summer skating programs, giving skaters of all ages a chance to stay active during the warmer months.

Brewed to Win
When: July 11

Where: K.R. Barkman Park, Steinbach, MB

The fifth annual Tim Hortons Brewed to Win Amazing Race is expected to bring up to 200 racers together for a day of challenges, pit stops and friendly competition. The event concludes with an Afterburn social at the Southeast Event Centre, with tickets available for $15. All proceeds go towards the Tim Hortons Foundation Camps and Southeast Cancer Support Services.

The Southeast Event Centre will be filled with entertainment, prizes and community spirit Saturday as the Afterburn Social raises money for both Southeast Cancer Support Services (SCSS) and the Tim Hortons Foundation Camps.

Young basketball players from across the province are taking to the court July 1 to 3 as the Battlegrounds Exposure Camp returns, providing middle school and high school athletes with an opportunity to showcase their skills in front of coaches, scouts and talent evaluators.

The three-day camp hosted at the Southeast Event Centre focuses on high-level competition, skill development and creating pathways for athletes looking to continue their basketball careers at the collegiate level.

Steinbach City Council has approved first reading of a bylaw that would provide a $400,000 loan to the Southeast Events Group Inc. to support operations at the Southeast Event Centre.

Council unanimously passed first reading of By-law 2272 during its first regular meeting this month. The proposed loan would provide working capital for the non-profit organization that operates the Southeast Event Centre on behalf of the city.

If ultimately approved, the loan would be funded through the City’s Committed Expenditure Reserve Fund and repaid over approximately four years.

Fire chiefs from across Manitoba have converged on Steinbach for the 76th annual Manitoba Association of Fire Chiefs conference.

This year’s event is being held at the Southeast Event Centre and is being hosted by Steinbach Fire, Hanover Fire, and Eastman Mutual Aid District.

This year’s theme is When Leadership Grows, Departments Thrive. Steinbach Fire Chief Kel Toews, who is also President of the Manitoba Association of Fire Chiefs, says when leaders continue to learn and move forward, departments thrive, and so do communities.

The conference includes a tradeshow, which started Thursday evening. Toews says they also have speakers coming in from across Canada for the conference, ending Saturday.

Fire service leaders from across Manitoba are in Steinbach this week for the 2026 Manitoba Association of Fire Chiefs Annual Conference and Trade Show.

The three-day event, running June 11 to 13 at the Southeast Event Centre, brings together fire chiefs, firefighters, municipal representatives and industry partners to discuss issues facing fire departments and emergency responders across the province.

The conference is being hosted jointly by the Steinbach Fire Department, Hanover Fire Department and the Eastman Mutual Aid District.

At the Southeast Event Centre, Forum & Bistro is building a reputation as a dining destination in its own right.

From interactive cocktail classes to locally inspired patio nights and curated pairing dinners, the restaurant is creating new ways for the community to gather around food and drink.

“We talk about bringing people together and gathering and playing and growing,” says Michelle Sawatzky-Koop, director of communications, marketing and sales. “And so often, could we even get together if there wasn’t food?”

One of the venue’s most popular concepts continues to be “The 45,” an intimate food-and-beverage pairing experience that seats 45 guests at Forum & Bistro. Previous events have featured wine and whiskey pairings, but upcoming editions are taking a more collaborative approach by partnering with other local businesses.

longstanding community worship event during Steinbach’s Summer in the City (SITC) festival is getting a major change of venue this year.

Service moves indoors for 2026
Andrew Dyck, lead pastor at Stony Brook Fellowship Church and co-chair of Worship in the City, says the excitement is building for the annual service.

“This is something we do every year for the festival. A highlight for me personally is always the community worship service, and this year is no different,” he says.

This year, the service will move to the Southeast Event Centre, offering organizers more space and a weatherproof setting as they prepare for what they hope will be their largest gathering yet.

Steinbach has become an international music destination after four bands from the Philippines booked to play the city’s Southeast Event Centre.

Promoters said they were drawn to the Manitoba city by the size of its new 3,500-seat venue, the large Filipino community there and Steinbach’s proximity to Winnipeg.

The first concert, this Saturday, is the Kundiman tour, which involves three bands from the Philippines who helped define the OPM (original Filipino music) genre: Moonstar88, Silent Sanctuary and Hale.

by GREG VANDERMEULEN A pair of Steinbach businesses will host a charity hockey game to raise funds for a local charity. Premier Portable and The LumberZone will see the first game of this kind hosted in Steinbach on May 29. In a March email, Joel Hartung of The...

A new dodgeball league is preparing to launch in Steinbach this fall, and organizers are inviting residents to try the sport for free during a special introductory event.

Southeast Event Centre will host the come-try night on May 27 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., giving people a chance to experience what league play will look like before registration officially opens later this summer.

Nick Grenier, who lives in Ile des Chenes and runs a league in Winnipeg, says the idea came together as the Southeast region continues to grow.

“With the new Southeast Event Centre, it just felt like it was at the right time to try to spread the sport into other communities, and I think there’s no better place to start than that facility.”

A charity hockey game and silent auction featuring local business leaders and former high-level players is set to hit the ice in support of Safe Families Steinbach.

Community support behind new fundraiser
The fundraiser, organized by local businesses including Premier Portable Buildings and Lumber Zone, will take place at the Southeast Event Centre and aims to support Safe Families Steinbach while becoming an annual community tradition.

The fastest-growing sport in North America continues to build momentum in Steinbach, and the Southeast Event Centre is making it easier than ever for players of all experience levels to get involved.

The Steinbach Pistons drew more fans this year than nearly every other Junior A hockey club in Canada.

Kevin Geisheimer is Director of Operations for the Steinbach Pistons. He says the Pistons averaged 1,885 fans per game during the 2025/26 season. Based on data compiled from the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL), the Pistons ranked #2 nationally. The only team with a higher average attendance was the Edmundston Blizzard of the Maritime Hockey League (MHL), with 2,327 fans per game.

The Southeast Event Centre is performing better than expected after its first full year of operation, according to Steinbach Mayor Earl Funk.

Funk spoke following a recent presentation by the Southeast Events Group to Steinbach City Council’s Strategic Priorities Committee.

The presentation outlined the facility’s financial performance, event activity, operational challenges and future opportunities.

A major change is coming to Steinbach’s Summer in the City festival Sunday worship service this year, and organizers say it opens the door for even more people to take part.

For the first time, the annual Worship in the City Sunday service will move indoors to the Southeast Event Centre, and with the larger venue comes a brand-new mass community choir open to singers from across southeastern Manitoba.

by SVJETLANA MLINAREVIC For the first time in its 95-year history, the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce held its AGM and economic summit in Steinbach on May 1. “Well, a lot of the reasons (why we chose a location) is making sure that communities have the right kind of...

A new tasting event is set to debut at the Southeast Event Centre (SEEC), offering residents a chance to sample a wide variety of beverages while supporting a local organization.

Southeast Pour
Organizers say Southeast Pour is part of a broader event to build community engagement around the city’s relatively new events facility.

“When we talk about the whole community being part of this, it becomes more important than ever,” says Michelle Sawatzky Director, Communications, Marketing and Sales at SEEC.

Sawatzky notes early ticket sales have been strong, with hundreds already sold.

“You will not be alone when you come. You will add to the incredible environment that it will be.”

by CASSIDY DANKOCHIK While the season may have ended a little early for the Steinbach Pistons’ liking, the team still gathered April 15 at the Pat Porter Centre to recognize some outstanding achievements at their year-end banquet. The team gathered just a few days...

A massive third-period comeback had the Southeast Event Centre rocking, as the Steinbach Pistons kept their season alive by defeating the Virden Oil Capitals 4-2 in game five, forcing a game six coming up on Sunday.

First period
Facing elimination, the Pistons came out of the gate on their toes, pushing hard to find offence while also having defensive details.

All the hard work paid off with some really good chances in the opening half of the period, but they couldn’t convert, keeping it a scoreless draw.

A power play for Virden would give them the opening marker, as for the fourth time in the series, it was the Oil Caps striking first, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead.

Both teams traded chances the rest of the way, but neither team could find the back of the net, ensuring a 1-0 lead for Virden carried into the second period.

The score stayed 1-0 thanks in large part to the work of Steinbach’s Easton Thvedt, who was sensational through the first and would only get better as the game went along.

The Steinbach Pistons are gearing up for a high-stakes playoff matchup Friday night as they look to keep their season alive in front of what is expected to be another packed crowd at the Southeast Event Centre.

The Pistons host Game 5 of their playoff series at 7 p.m. on April 10, trailing the series three games to one in a must-win situation.

Kevin Geisheimer, Director of Business Operations for the Pistons, says fan turnout has remained strong throughout the playoffs.

“We’ve been over 2,000 fans for all of our playoff games,” said Geisheimer. “For the game coming up tonight at 7 o’clock, we only have a few hundred tickets available.”

He encourages fans to purchase tickets in advance to avoid missing out.

by GREG VANDERMEULEN

After a year’s hiatus, the community garage sale is back, thanks to the Southeast Event Centre.

Last year’s event was cancelled due to arena construction, and the SEC says it’s back under a new name.

Called the Garage Sale Marketplace at SEC, this year’s event will take place on April 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the T.G. Smith Arena.

A new event at the Southeast Event Centre aims to give Steinbach residents a reason to stay close to home for a night out, while showcasing the region’s growing food and beverage scene.

The Southeast Pour, taking place Friday, April 24 at 6:30 p.m., is designed as a tasting-style experience that brings together beer, wine, spirits and local food vendors under one roof. For Amanda Curwin, Director of Food & Beverage at the Southeast Event Centre (SEC), the idea is simple: create an approachable, community-focused alternative to larger festivals typically found in bigger cities.

“We’re really excited about the Southeast Pour,” she says. “The original thought was to bring a mini wine, whiskey and beer fest to our community, something completely new where you can experience everything in one place.”

A major moment for a southern Manitoba architect is also a point of pride for Steinbach, as the building he helped bring to life continues to draw crowds for one of the city’s biggest sporting weekends of the year.

Local connection to Steinbach’s newest landmark
As fans prepare to pack the Southeast Event Centre Saturday night for Game 5 of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League playoffs, few may realize the arena itself is part of a larger story of prairie-built architecture.

Jeff Penner of Winkler, a partner with Verne Reimer Architecture, has been named a fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, one of the highest honours in the profession. His work includes the Southeast Event Centre in Steinbach, now home to the Steinbach Pistons.

As the Steinbach Pistons head into the playoffs this Friday, the excitement isn’t just about hockey. It’s about community.

From packed stands to pregame gatherings and local partnerships, the playoff push is shaping up to be as much a social event as it is a sporting one.

For Jamie Roy, director of sales and marketing for the Pistons, that sense of momentum has been building all season.

“It’s a bit of a different feeling than last year because we would have just been fresh into the new building.”

Adate decades in the making finally came to pass March 4, as the Steinbach Pistons were able to host their annual Fire and Ice Banquet at the Southeast Event Centre.

Team banquets in the past were held in Friedensfeld Hall or the Niverville Heritage Centre, but with a top class facility to play out of, the team transformed their ice surface into a banquet hall for over 500 guests.

Team president Grant Lazaruk welcomed guests to the 16th annual Fire and Ice Banquet.

“A major reason we hold the title of the best junior hockey organization in Canada is the incredible support we receive from our sponsors, from our volunteers, our fans, our community,” Lazaruk said.

“From the bottom of our hearts we thank you.”

Attendees at the Steinbach Pistons annual Fire and Ice Banquet got an inside look at the return of NHL hockey to Manitoba, as Winnipeg Jets owner Mark Chipman was the guest speaker at the event.

It was the first time the Pistons had hosted their banquet inside their home rink, with the Southeast Event Centre fully transformed with guests eating and drinking just above the actual ice surface.

“It’s unbelievable,” Chipman said when asked what he thought of the SEC.

Pickleball continues to surge in popularity across North America, and now adults in Southeastern Manitoba have a new place to play, learn and connect.

The Southeast Event Centre has launched The Court House Pickleball Club, a new program designed to bring people together through one of the fastest-growing sports in the region. The club offers weekly drop-in play, league opportunities and a welcoming environment for players of all experience levels – especially beginners.

“Our mission at the Southeast Event Centre is to promote community through high-quality recreational activities,” says Gabriel Brandt, director of sports programming. “Pickleball is accessible, competitive and social – everything you need to make this the highlight of your week.”

The annual Steinbach Pistons Fire and Ice Banquet was a resounding success, bringing players and fans together for an evening of celebration.

Director of Business Operations Kevin Geisheimer says the night was spectacular, highlighting both the strong attendance and the fact that it was the first banquet held at the Southeast Event Centre.

“It was everything we thought it would be. It’s pretty special to be able to do a banquet right on the same surface where we play in our home community on a weekly basis. It’s super special, and the community came out in a big way.”

Figure skaters from across southeastern Manitoba will take to the ice this weekend as several local clubs come together for a new regional showcase in Steinbach.

A figure skating first
The 2026 Southeast Figure Skating Show will feature skaters from multiple communities performing together in one large end-of-season event.

Organizer Andrea Wolgemuth, a coach with the Steinbach Skating Club, says the idea was to bring together clubs that usually operate separately.

“This is the first time ever we’ve joined all the clubs in the southeast together to do one big show for the end of the year,” Wolgemuth says.

Four clubs are involved in the show, including the Steinbach Skating Club, Seine River Skating Club, based in Île-des-Chênes and Lorette, Niverville Skating School and La Broquerie Skating Club.

Steinbach city council has given third reading to two borrowing bylaws, approving debt for the Southeast Event Centre (SEC) and for upgrades to the Loewen Boulevard and Highway 12 intersection.

The first bylaw authorizes borrowing to complete construction of the SEC. The Municipal Board has approved the debenture, allowing council to proceed with final approval. The loan will be repaid over five years at an interest rate of 3.83 per cent.

The Steinbach Pistons have turned their home games into full-blown events. From in-house replays, themed nights, live music and competitions, the Southeast Event Centre is a party for Junior A home games.

Kevin Geisheimer was brought on at the beginning of last season as the team’s director of business operations. After a season in La Broquerie and a last-second move back to Steinbach, the Pistons have established themselves in their new rink.

Hundreds of students from local schools filled the Southeast Event Centre (SEC) with cheers during a recent Steinbach Pistons school-day game, an experience educators say left a lasting impression on students.

Community partnership
The outing brought together close to 2,000 students from multiple Hanover School Division (HSD) schools, many of whom were attending a Pistons game for the first time on Monday, Jan. 26.

From the moment students arrived, the atmosphere inside the arena delivered what one school administrator described as a “wow factor.”

Anders Rempel, principal at Elmdale School, says the relationship between the Pistons and HSD is a wonderful community partnership built through Mike Kehler, Team Chaplain for the Steinbach Pistons.

“I feel like we’re part of something really special to have a team with a new arena who wants to fill their building and who wants to build a fan base,” Rempel says.

The Steinbach Pistons partnered with the Southeast Event Centre to create a fun and memorable experience for students across the Southeast.

Pistons Director of Business Operations Kevin Geisheimer explains that a November game against the Winnipeg Blues had been postponed due to weather. After struggling to find a new date, both teams agreed on a mid-day puck drop and decided to turn it into a special event for local schools.

“We did that last year in La Broquerie with a postponed game, and it worked out pretty cool, but now we could do it at a whole other level in this building.”

The Grand Slam of Curling left a lasting impact on Steinbach, generating increased local spending, sold-out hotels and a renewed sense of community pride.

Community response
To better understand the event’s impact, the Steinbach Chamber of Commerce distributed a voluntary survey to local businesses and the community following the event.

“We wanted to reach out to the community and find out what was some of the economic impact that came from this fabulous event,” says Tessa Masi, executive director of the chamber.

The chamber received more than 100 responses to its voluntary survey.

Steinbach took centre stage as the Grand Slam of Curling brought national attention and packed crowds to the Southeast Event Centre.

With the event now wrapped up, SEC staff are reflecting on both the highlights and the challenges that came with hosting a major bonspiel.

Months of preparation paved the way
General Manager Melanie Hiebert says preparation began months in advance, with countless hours spent planning before the first rock was ever thrown.

She adds that the hands-on work intensified on January 2, when the building transformation began.

The Grand Slam of Curling wrapped up as a major success at the Southeast Event Centre (SEC), drawing crowds and international attention.

In the stands, seats were filled with community members, curling fans and local politicians, all eager to see the world’s top athletes compete.

Goertzen says the Grand Slam’s impact went beyond the ice
Steinbach MLA Kelvin Goertzen says it’s wonderful to see this event come to fruition after years of planning.

A major curling event in Steinbach briefly doubled as a movie set Friday night, as a film crew working on a Hollywood production captured scenes during the Grand Slam of Curling at the Southeast Event Centre.

According to a fan that got to spend some time with the stars of the movie, it is titled Sticks and Stones, tells the story of American curler John Shuster. It is focused on his underdog journey to Olympic gold in 2018.

The Grand Slam of Curling will be leaving Steinbach after several incredible days, but Steinbach Curling Club President Cody Bergen believes the impact of having such a great event in the city will be felt for a long, long time.

What a wonderful few days

Throughout the last few days, Bergen says it’s been a group effort from the curling club as they helped in and around the event. “I can’t speak highly enough of how the curling club came together and helped to supply a number of volunteers for this event, and how smoothly the event went. It was just impressive, and I think everybody had a great time, and the whole week was just a tremendous success.”

STEINBACH — Kerri Einarson has waited a long time for a chance to win a Grand Slam of Curling event in her home province.

Unfortunately for the Gimli-based skip, raising a trophy with loads of family and friends in the stands wasn’t meant to be on Sunday as she came up short in a 6-5 loss to Switzerland’s Silvana Tirinzoni in the Players’ Championship final inside Steinbach’s Southeast Event Centre.

Steinbach is hosting some of the best curlers in the world this week, as the Grand Slam of Curling takes over the Southeast Events Centre, drawing elite international teams and dedicated fans from across Canada.

The event is serving as a key tune up for athletes heading to the Olympic Games, while also offering local residents a rare opportunity to watch world class curling without leaving the region.

Young curlers from across the Southeast are soaking in the excitement of elite competition in Steinbach as the Grand Slam of Curling continues.

Steinbach Curling Club Junior Coordinator Gord Oakley says Team Wiebe, the club’s U15 female team, recently qualified for the 2026 Manitoba Winter Games. He adds that hosting a Grand Slam has been an incredible opportunity, allowing the young athletes to watch several games firsthand.

“[It’s] an opportunity to not only watch their hero’s play, they get to meet them in person, get an autograph and picture. These teams are the best in the world.”

The Grand Slam of Curling Players’ Championship is underway at the Southeast Event Centre, featuring a familiar name on the ice.

BJ Neufeld, the son of Steinbach-born professional curler Chris Neufeld, is competing with Mike McEwen’s team, representing Saskatchewan.

BJ usually curls with Reid Carruthers, but that team did not qualify for this event.

He explains that Colton Flasch of Team McEwen reached out a few weeks ago, explaining that Kevin Marsch is expecting his son and would probably be staying home for the Crown Royal Players Championship in Steinbach, which opened the door for BJ to step in.

The ice at the Southeast Event Centre has been transformed into four sheets of curling ice as the venue prepares to host the Grand Slam of Curling.

Preparations began on January 2, and Sporting Events and Scheduling Manager at the SEC, Gabe Brandt, says the first step focused on ensuring the ice surface was perfectly level.

“We brought in the zamboni, together with the ice technicians, identified little areas where the ice wasn’t perfectly level, where there were some ridges in the ice.”

Once the surface was even, crews moved on to covering all existing lines and logos in the ice, including the large Pistons logo at centre ice.

“It’s powdered paint together with water. And basically, they have a wand, and they just spray everywhere on the ice, covering up the logos. They did that a couple times to make sure that we were starting from a nice clean base. And then basically we started flooding.”

After establishing a clean base, the team began installing the new logos and lines.

TAYLOR ALLEN

STEINBACH — The Grand Slam of Curling hasn’t even left town yet and they’re already thinking about coming back to Steinbach.

“It’s got that wow factor walking in here,” said Jenni Cram, the GSOC’s communications director on Day 1 of the Players’ Championship inside the Southeast Event Centre.

The world’s top curlers are headed to Steinbach as the Grand Slam of Curling prepares to take over the Southeast Event Centre (SEC) in January.

From Steinbach to the Olympics
Gabe Brandt, sporting events and scheduling manager at SEC, says the event is a major milestone for both the community and the venue.

“We’re super excited to be able to host (these athletes) in our beautiful facility,” Brandt says.

The tournament will bring 24 teams together from Canada, Scotland, Italy, China, South Korea and other countries.

“There are no teams that are better than these anywhere else in the world.”

Among the headline competitors are Rachel Homan and Brad Jacobs, with roughly a dozen of the teams representing their countries at the 2026 Olympics.

“These world-class teams want to play one more time against each other to be ready for the Olympics,” Michelle Sawatsky, director of communications, marketing and sales at the Southeast Event Centre, says.

A holiday visit to southeastern Manitoba turned into a true Canadian experience for a young visitor from overseas.

Amelie Bulat, a Grade 6 student from London, England, attended her first-ever ice hockey game while visiting family in her mother’s hometown of Steinbach over the Christmas break.

With her father, grandfather and sister, she took in a Steinbach Pistons matchup at the Southeast Event Centre.

Make the friendship bracelets, head down to the Southeast Event Centre, take the moment and taste it. On Saturday, December 13, Steinbach, Southeast Manitoba and beyond will celebrate the most famous birthday in pop with a Taylor Swift tribute show.

Part of the Steinbach Tribute Series, “Taylor’s Story” will take fans on a memorable journey through the Eras, performing hits from albums including 1989, Red, Lover and Evermore.

As Michelle Sawatzky-Koop, SEC Director of Communications, Marketing & Sales, explains, Swifties will be treated to a concert that almost looks and sounds like the real thing.

“It won’t be just a blonde girl singing Taylor Swift songs,” she says, referencing performer Shannon Beresford. “She looks like Taylor Swift. She sounds like Taylor Swift. She acts like Taylor Swift. She’s incredible.”

The City of Steinbach is requesting a one-year deadline extension for the completion of the Southeast Event Centre under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program – Community Culture and Recreation Infrastructure Stream.

This was discussed at Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

“There are a number of smaller outstanding items that we are working with Graham Construction to have completed,” explained Corporate Services Manager Adam Thiessen. “Since they aren’t completely finished yet, we’re asking to extend the ISIP deadline to September 30, 2026, so that we can comply with the terms of that agreement.”

The Southeast Events Group (SEG) has announced the appointment of a new General Manager who brings extensive experience and a strong connection to the community.

In August, Michelle Bezditny stepped into the role of Interim General Manager while the search for a permanent candidate began. That search has now concluded with the hiring of Melanie Hiebert, who officially started in the position on November 4.

Ben Townsend, a member of the SEG Board of Directors, says Hiebert is a strong fit for the role.

“We believe Melanie is going to bring strong leadership structure. She has an incredible passion for our community. Having someone local who truly understands the people here, how we think, what we value, what resonates with us, I think that will be a tremendous advantage as we continue to grow the Event Centre. So, I think those attributes were big for us.”

Families in Steinbach have something new to get excited about.

The long-awaited Game-On Play Zone, sponsored by Niverville Credit Union, at the Southeast Event Centre is officially opening its doors on Monday, Nov. 3.

Steinbach City Council has received reassurance that there’s enough ice time available for local sports and community use at the Southeast Event Centre.

During the October 14 meeting, Councillor Susan Penner said she had heard concerns from minor hockey about being pushed aside after the Eastman Selects signed a contract with the facility.

She then asked, “Is there something you can say to reassure minor hockey and the community?”

In response, facility representatives said there is more than enough ice time to meet community needs.

Jarrett Bishop, Southeast Events Group (SEG) treasurer, told council that ice utilization “is not what you think,” adding that the main ice sheet, known as The Bowl, had only 58 percent utilization during prime hours. Those hours are Monday to Friday from 4 to 11 p.m. and on weekends. Non-prime hours showed 33 percent utilization for The Bowl, while the TG Smith Arena showed even lower percentages.

The Southeast Events Group (SEG) is asking the City of Steinbach for $877,000 to help cover operating costs this first year and a number of facility improvements that are needed.

This request was presented by the SEG board of directors at city council’s SPC or Strategic Priorities Committee meeting on Tuesday.

SEG President Grant Lazaruk says there are two components to this request, an operating fund request of $435,000 and a capital projects request of $442,000.

It was a celebration years in the making. Residents of Steinbach gathered Thursday to officially open the Southeast Event Centre.

Crews broke ground on the project in January 2023. However, as was noted at Thursday morning’s grand opening ceremony, the idea for this project was first brought up at City Council level nearly 15 years before that.

Thursday’s ceremony included speeches from Lieutenant Governor Anita Neville, Provencher Member of Parliament Ted Falk, Minister of Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism Nellie Kennedy, Steinbach MLA Kelvin Goertzen, President of Southeast Events Group Grant Lazaruk, Steinbach Mayor Earl Funk, and former resident of Steinbach, professional player and coach Ralph Krueger.

The Southeast Event Centre is heading into its busiest months with optimism, as the Southeast Events Group works through early challenges and shows signs of steady growth. Despite delays in opening and initial setbacks, the facility is now running closer to full capacity and gaining traction as a community hub.

The Steinbach Pistons and Southeast Event Centre hosted the Manitoba Moose for an inter-squad game on Sunday, and it was an incredible experience.

The Moose play in Steinbach
That is according to Kevin Geisheimer, the Director of Business Operations for the Steinbach Pistons. He notes there was a unique buzz in the SEC as spectators got to see professional hockey players hit the ice in the new facility for the first time.

Because it was an inter-squad game and not a pre-season or regular season game, Geisheimer says they did not know how much interest there would be in the event, but the community really showed up.

Steinbach’s September 19th Orange Shirt Day was all about wisdom, resilience, healing and community.

The Southeast Event Centre hosted keynote speakers, cultural dancers and musicians —bringing together the spirit of unity and reconciliation.

It was an emotional start to Wednesday night’s Steinbach Pistons game at the Southeast Event Centre as longtime volunteer and fan Tasha Wiese was honoured with a ceremonial puck drop.

Wiese, who has spent the past several months recovering from sepsis and multiple amputations, said the moment overwhelmed her with gratitude.

“I was very nervous. It was very, very emotional for me,” she said. “When I heard Jamie Roy say my name and start describing what happened to me, the tears started. Tahnee, my sister, pushed me onto the ice, more tears. I was so overwhelmed I didn’t know until afterwards that everyone stood up and applauded me. When you’re in the struggle every day it’s easy to forget how far you’ve come. The evening was a moment to appreciate that.”

Steinbach will mark a significant step on the journey of Truth and Reconciliation Friday with an event that organizers say has been years in the making. The full-day gathering Sept. 19 will begin with a community honour walk and feature keynote presentations from residential school survivors, live cultural performances and educational displays. This is the kick-off to Orange Shirt Day.

Organizers say the free event is open to everyone across southeastern Manitoba, designed to provide a safe and meaningful opportunity for learning, reflection and connection.

Local restaurants are raising the bar for Steinbach’s annual Burger Days, serving up mouth-watering creations you won’t want to miss.

From Thursday, October 2 to Saturday, October 11, 14 restaurants and one brewery will showcase their best burgers during the popular event hosted by the Steinbach Chamber of Commerce.

Executive Director Tessa Masi says this year’s burger lineup is incredible.

The Manitoba Moose are heading to the southeast this weekend for their Blue and White Intrasquad Game.

Steinbach Pistons Director of Sales and Marketing, Jamie Roy, says they’re thrilled to host an event like this at the Southeast Event Centre.

“This is the highest level of hockey coming to our community. This is pro hockey. And because it is an intrasquad game, it’s guys that are fighting for a job for this year. They’re fighting for a spot on the Manitoba Moose squad.”

Roy notes there will also be representatives from the Winnipeg Jets management team in attendance.

“They’re all Winnipeg Jets prospects because they’re all fighting their way to be on the Moose this year, but they’re also fighting for a job to get called up to the big club too. So, it’s a really cool opportunity to see who’s all coming up in the system, so we’re really looking forward to having just that caliber of hockey. And it’ll be intense because like we said, they’re fighting for a job.”

Corny Rempel is at it again! It’s Feel Good Friday with the Steinbach Auto Dealers, and they provided Corny with gift cards from Coffee Culture to bless people who were enjoying the new Walking Track at the Southeast Event Centre!

To watch more Feel Good Friday videos, click here.

CASSIDY DANKOCHIK STEINBACH — THE roster of the Manitoba Moose took one step closer to being finalized Sunday but it wasn’t in the Hockey for All Centre or even downtown at the CanadaLife Centre. The American Hockey League affiliate of the Winnipeg Jets held their...

by GREG VANDERMEULEN As the grand opening celebration on Aug. 21 approaches for the Southeast Event Centre, the Southeast Events Group has decided to crank up the local celebration. Gone is the planned ticketed evening concert that was to feature the Winnipeg-based...

Southeast Events Group (SEG) has announced a change in leadership.

Grant Lazaruk, who is President of SEG, says Jeffrey Bannon has departed as General Manager of the Southeast Event Centre in Steinbach. The move took effect last Wednesday.

“He has played a pivotal role in the growth and success of the company,” says Lazaruk. “And we extend our sincere appreciation for his leadership and dedication to the centre.”

After years of planning and construction, the Southeast Event Centre (SEC) in Steinbach is preparing to welcome the community for its much-anticipated grand opening on Thursday, August 21.

“This has been decades in the making,” says Steinbach Mayor Earl Funk. “Back in the late ’80s, City Council began purchasing land downtown knowing that one day, we would need more space for recreation and community events. That vision is finally coming to life.”

The grand opening promises a full day of activities for all ages, beginning with an official ceremony at 11 a.m. inside the impressive Arena Bowl. Michelle Sawatzky, Director of Communications at the SEC, says the ceremony will be followed by a mayor’s luncheon for dignitaries and a free community lunch open to everyone.

“Who doesn’t love a free lunch?” says Sawatzky with a smile. “We want families to come out, have a great time, and explore everything the new centre has to offer.”

A multiplatinum, two-time Grammy Award-winning musician is headed to Steinbach to help celebrate a major milestone.

Providence University College and Seminary is marking 100 years, and as a part of the centennial “birthday-bash,” Christian country artist Zach Williams will be playing at the Southeast Events Centre (SEC).

It’s the only Canadian stop on the musician’s tour.

Lindsey Post, director of development at Providence, says Williams was chosen to headline the celebration because of the deep impact his music has had on people in the community.

The race kicked off with Team registrations at the A.D. Penner Park picnic shelter. After the whistle blew, teams of four set out across the city to tackle physical challenges, solve puzzles, and test their teamwork at places like Crossfit Steinbach, CJ’s Hangout, MHV, and City Hall. At each stop, teams completed tasks to move on, everything from axe-throwing and a “five-legged race” to quizzes with the mayor and even a swimming challenge at the Aquatic Centre.

All teams paid a $100 entry fee, 100% of which went directly to support Tim Horton’s Foundation Camps. Organizers say over $25,000 worth of in-kind donations were also provided by local businesses.

Jorge Soussa, manager of all three Steinbach Tim Horton’s locations and event organizer, said, “We really wanted to create something fun that brings the community together and gets people excited about supporting Camp Day, which is taking place next Wednesday, July 16. And this event is a great lead-up to that. We’ve had a huge response, more support than ever from local sponsors and teams.”

Chris Funk, known on stage as The Wonderist, is bringing his signature mix of magic and music to the Southeast Event Centre this Friday, and for the Manitoba-born performer, it feels like a heartfelt return.

“I spent most of my life in Winnipeg with roots near Steinbach – my parents are from the Grunthal area and the Arnaud area – and I went to school in Gretna,” Funk says. “So this really is a homecoming.”

His upcoming performance is part of the opening lineup at the brand-new Southeast Event Centre in Steinbach. “I’m very pumped to be there,” Funk adds. “I’ve heard it’s a phenomenal space, and I’m honoured to help kick things off.”

Get ready to experience the magic! Chris Funk, The Wonderist, is bringing his mind-blowing show ‘Redefining Wonder’ to the Southeast Event Centre on June 27, and we want to send you and a friend!

Chris has amazed audiences around the world and appeared on America’s Got Talent, Penn & Teller: Fool Us, and Masters of Illusion. His high-energy performance is perfect for the whole family.

Tune in to MIX 96, Country 107, and AM1250 for your chance to win free tickets!

Want to guarantee your spot? Grab your tickets now at tickets.southeasteventcentre.ca.

The Southeast Event Centre is getting closer to the full grand opening and progress continues on completing the facility.

While the building has been in use for several months, several key amenities remain under construction. That includes the children’s play zone, the walking track, and the gymnasium — all of which are now expected to open before the end of summer.

Providence University College and Theological Seminary is inviting southern Manitoba to help them celebrate 100 years in the community with a concert featuring Zach Williams and opener Jordan St. Cyr.

“It’s amazing to represent 100 years of legacy and 100 years of service to the Manitoba community, the church, and our alumni students,” says Kent Anderson, President of Providence in Otterburne, MB. “I’ve been a part of this for four years. I can’t take too much credit, but I’m very grateful to steward this school at this particularly significant moment.”

Steinbach’s brand-new multipurpose facility is partially open and is anticipating a full year of bringing the community together for events.

“We’re so excited about this building and it’s not even completely open yet,” says the Director of Communications, Marketing, and Sales at the Southeast Event Centre in Steinbach, Michelle Sawatzky-Koop. “March 14, we got the arena bowl open for that very first Steinbach Piston game. We got the occupancy granted a mere 12-24 hours before we let 2,400 people into the building.”

The reason for the centre is to offer many different opportunities and aspects for the community in Steinbach, including the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, to play their home games.

“There were sell-out crowds, yummy concessions,” says Sawatzky-Koop. “What I think I noticed the most about that opening was that people didn’t just come for the hockey. They came to see the place, and then they realized what a community gathering place it was.”

When the Steinbach Chamber of Commerce called it the Taste of Steinbach they meant it.
  The sold out event was held at the Southeast Event Centre for the first time in its third year. There were 624 mouths to feed and chef, JP Charpentier had 15 local food producers from which to source his five-course meals. 
  As each piece of carrot cake from Old Church Bakery was getting its own daisy flower placed on top from some of the 15 kitchen staff, event centre and HyLife corporate chef Charpentier explained the months of preparation that goes into making such a masterful spread. 

Floral arrangements sit artfully in green nests, with the golden glow of candlelight spilling onto white-clothed tables. Music from a string quartet wafts on warm air, accompanied by the happy hum of good company.
Then a mouthwatering burst of aroma peels into the room, and eager eyes scan the space in anticipation of a hearty community meal.
This was the scene at the third annual Taste of Steinbach on Tuesday, which was a delicious success, as hundreds gathered at the Southeast Event Centre (SEC) to savour local flavours.

Fans inside the Southeast Event Centre cheer as Mark Scheifele gives the Winnipeg Jets a 1-0 lead during game two of their series against the St. Louis Blues. The SEC is hosting viewing parties for Jets playoff games, with over 300 people in attendance for game two April 21. The large screens showing the game didn’t stop rec hockey league action from continuing, with players on the ice pausing to watch the NHL game at key moments. Tickets for the viewing parties are $10, with $5 going to local charities. During games one and two the SEC also handed out a box of popcorn to everyone in attendance. 

On hand to be a part of Tuesday’s announcement that the Grand Slam of Curling will be held at the Southeast Event Centre were curling royalty, Jennifer Jones and Reid Carruthers, both of whom were over the moon that the event was coming to Steinbach.

“We’re so excited to come to Manitoba,” Jones said with a big smile. “It’s been a few years since the Grand Slam has come to Manitoba. It’s going to bring International curlers, we get to show off this beautiful Events Centre, which is jaw dropping, it’s so impressive. We’re so excited to come and showcase what southeastern Manitoba is all about.”

THE countdown is officially on for Steinbach to host the Grand Slam of Curling’s Players’ Championship.

Organizers, politicians and curling stars were in attendance at the newly built Southeast Event Centre (SEC) in downtown Steinbach May 13 to promote and officially kick off the event, which will take place Jan. 6-11 in 2026.

Manitoba hasn’t hosted a Grand Slam since 2018.

The Centre’s general manager, Jeff Bannon, said the Players’ Championship will be the SEC’s chance to make a strong first impression on the national stage.

“This is our Neil Armstrong moment,” Bannon said.

“What I mean by that is this is when we’re going to put our flag in the ground and let the entire world know how great Steinbach and southeast Manitoba is. This facility was built by the community for the community and we can’t wait to share our community with the world.”

Excitement is building as the Winnipeg Jets enter the playoffs, and the Southeast Event Centre is bringing people together to watch hockey on the big screen. Well, actually, big screens.

Director of Communications at the Southeast Event Centre, Michelle Sawatzky-Koop, says their screens are 15 feet tall and 45 feet wide so you can really see every pass, every check, every goal!

“We’re all about community and we love watching hockey, so we want to do that here,” says Sawatzky-Koop. “And it’s in collaboration with the Jets – they’re excited to have us to do this for them. We’re going to do it for every home and every away game!”