More than 500 people packed the Keystone Centre’s Canada Room on the night of Thursday, May 14 for the first ever Legacy and Lights event in support of the Keystone Centre Foundation, and organizers couldn’t be happier.
The event became very much a who’s who of Brandon and the surrounding area, with nine MLAs in attendance including Municipal and Northern Relations Minister Glen Simard. Tyler Bates, chief of the Brandon Police Service, and military representatives were also present, as well as five former Keystone Centre GMs.
“Boy am I ever impressed,” said Barry Cooper, executive director of the Keystone Centre Foundation. “It’s so exciting to see so many people here tonight. They’ve kind of wrapped their arms around the Keystone Centre and said it matters.”
The emcee for the evening was former Mayor and Keystone Centre GM Rick Chrest, who pointed out there were members of both the governing NDP and opposition PC party present. He called to attention the fact that the Keystone Centre has been so important to the province that governments on both sides of the aisle have given readily to the building and supported it enthusiastically.
“When you have a building like this that’s such an economic but also cultural juggernaut, it’s a place where people come and they experience so many things collectively,” Cooper said. “We’re so happy to have it, and so happy that people think it matters.”
Image by Rob Mahon
The money raised from the event will go toward capital projects and giving back to the community, according to Cooper. That same community, he pointed out, has been so willing to give to them.
“We appreciate so much that people have found a way to support this event and to think that it matters,” he said.
