Construction gets underway today on the new Southeast Event Centre in Steinbach. 

“We’ll see some more activity here in terms of equipment and piles being brought to the site,” says Russ Dyck, head of the Parks and Recreation Department for Steinbach. “And we're told by Tuesday they'll be drilling and pounding piles for probably the next month.” 

The Centennial Arena, built in 1967, will have to come down this year to make way for the new facility. 

“Once the season is over here, in terms of ice usage, this building will be decommissioned and come down sometime in probably late spring, in terms of physically coming down. But we have a little bit of time, not much, we have about a week to salvage some items out of here, so that'll be the next number of months here in terms of progress.” 

There will be only a few short months before a new hockey season begins and a lot of work has gone into a master plan to accommodate the various groups that will be looking for ice time come fall. 

“We have all of the different users getting different slots in the T.G. (Smith Arena),” reports Cassandra Kornelsen, with the Parks and Recreation Department. “We're utilizing our brand-new outdoor rink, so there are going to be a few adjustments. We are going to get everybody on the ice, maybe just not as much as they want to be.” 

She says there have been no complaints about the short-term sacrifice that is necessary to get to the new facility. 

“People are pumped about this new center,” Kornelsen says. “And with all of the new changes that have come out, it's been nothing but positive. Everyone is talking about it and there's not the, ‘Oh, no ice in Centennial?’ It's the, ‘Oh, I can't wait for the Event Center.’ So, we're really happy about that.” 

Steinbach Pistons Head Coach Paul Dyck can feel the excitement in the air as we get ready to watch the new Southeast Event Centre take shape. 

Dyck attended the groundbreaking ceremony on Friday and says it was an emotional event. 

“I think a lot of memories are being triggered by some of the conversations being had with the history of our current building, but also the anticipation of creating new memories for our youth and the future youth of our city,” he says. 

Dyck notes it is remarkable to learn of the many people who have been working on the Southeast Event Centre, from different levels of government to the private sector. 

“There are so many hands on this project, right? And they all have maybe some different motives,” he says. “They have interests with different groups, but they all represent our city and that's what makes it really special.” 

While the new facility will be impressive for athletes on the ice, it will also accommodate more fans and be more comfortable, Dyck notes. 

Although there is a lot of enthusiasm from the ice sports community, he points out the Southeast Event Centre will be a space that will serve the entire community with a variety of events.

-With files from Dave Anthony  

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