There are many great things that can be said for Brandon. Located on the Assiniboine River and within driving distance of numerous campgrounds, hiking paths, and lakes, the land offers many picturesque sights to those living in and around the Wheat City. As if the beauty of the landscape surrounding the city weren’t enough, the region itself is rich with both the history of the Cree, Dakota, Dene, Ojibway, and Oji-Cree peoples, and the various other peoples and cultures that make up the modern city of Brandon. The Wheat City can be best described as ‘working-class’, as it hosts a strong workforce made up of skilled tradesmen, emergency service workers, and educators of all kinds. Those worried for the future of Brandon can comfortably kick their feet up and relax knowing that the youth of Brandon – and by extension the student culture – have worked hard to develop themselves into a community that values acceptance, cooperation, and perhaps most importantly, understanding.
The Wheat City also happens to be the second largest city in Manitoba with an impressive 51,000 people recorded in the 2021 census, an uptick of five percent from the last census held in 2016. It’s safe to say that the city is growing and shows no signs of stopping. Typically a growth rate of this size is reflected by the beating heart of any city, its downtown. But downtown Brandon feels a little too quiet to be truly reflective of a city population of 51,000 and climbing. Most businesses and stores in Brandon close before ten, often making people feel like there isn’t that much to do here and leaving establishments such as Houstons, The 40, and the Great Western Roadhouse to appease the rapidly growing demand for an authentic late-night scene.
It must be stressed that downtown Brandon has everything needed to maintain an attractive and vibrant sense of community. The neighbourhood is walkable, taking maybe twenty minutes to cross the entirety of it. It’s already host to a variety of institutions and public services, and the municipal government has worked hard to create a lively centre for its peoples to use. A question formed one day driving through the neighbourhood, I asked why more businesses don’t take advantage of the commercial lots here. At several points in time I’ve looked at vacant storefronts and wondered what service or store would best be suited for it. What letters would rise to take the place of the Ginger Cat Café or The Cinnamon Tree? Who will turn old Abby Rose into the next café or restaurant that hosts a student body club? As fun as a day-trip into Winnipeg may be, why must the second biggest city in Manitoba rely so heavily on the provincial capital?
What about the businesses that are already there? What can the student body do to help the various public services, restaurants, and shops that have been there for quite some time? To start, we’ll have to follow the buck. Where we spend our money is perhaps the single most important motivator for new businesses wondering where to set up. By directing our money towards buying local as much as possible, we encourage potential-business owners to take the next step knowing that we as a city are ready to support them.
The Wheat City actually has quite a bit to offer to those willing to venture out while the sun is still high in the sky. Those yearning for a night listening to live jazz with a locally made drink should look no further than Section 6. One of our local breweries, Section 6 hosts a weekly Jazz Night for the talented Brandon University Jazz Program, which will be performing the jazz standards Take The “A” Train and Lester Leaps In on October 11th, this Wednesday. If live music doesn’t soothe that itch for culture and community, then perhaps the ‘Big One’, an upcoming arts and crafts fair held at the Keystone Centre might be better. If you find that your schedule for the weekends of the 14th and 21st are open, then bring five dollars to cover the admittance fee and you’ll find yourself browsing through the very best arts, crafts, and culinary treats that over 175 local artists and artisans have to offer. Not only will your attendance give you the opportunity to meet and support local artists and artisans, but part of the admission proceeds will be donated in support of the Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation’s drive for cancer care. Those seeking films unlikely to appear in your local cinema or on your social media feed would do well to consider checking out the Evans Theater, which will host screenings of the film ‘Jules’ – starring the critically-acclaimed actor Ben Kingsley, from the 13th – a Friday, to the following Sunday.
Brandon truly has a great deal to offer its people, and it has a great deal more to grow. But frequenting the already-existing establishments such as the bars, boutiques, cafes, clubs, exhibits, museums, restaurants, and stores that litter the city may create a greater interest in the revitalization of downtown.