SteinbachOnline

After years of planning, fundraising, and community anticipation, the Southeast Event Centre in Steinbach is officially opening its doors. While locals have already experienced the excitement of Pistons games in the new arena, the official grand opening on Thursday, August 21 marks a full-circle celebration of a vision decades in the making.

"There are many people who thought the place was already open," laughs Michelle Sawatzky-Koop, Director of Communications, Marketing and Sales for the SEC. "But this is our real moment to celebrate the entire facility."

Grunthal Motocross (GMX) is revving up for its big summer weekend set for August 23rd to 24th – but what exactly can visitors expect, especially if it’s their first time?

A sensory rush from start to finish

A brand-new rental community has arrived in Steinbach – offering the perfect balance between peaceful suburban living and the conveniences of the city. Essex 63 sits on the edge of town, right next to the new Parkhill K-4 school, with the SRSS high school and Stonybook Middle School within easy walking distance.

For Neil Claringbould, a beef producer managing 180 head of cattle, the decision to adopt rotational grazing wasn't driven by trends – it was about getting the most out of the land he already had.

"The days of $200-an-acre pasture are long gone," Claringbould says. "We realized we needed to maximize what we’ve got."

A summertime tradition is back again for bull riding fans from across the province and beyond- Grunthal’s Hanover Ag Fair, August 14th to 17th.

When you think of self-storage, the words "luxury" and "creative space" might not immediately come to mind. But at 98 Storage, a newly opened facility managed by Falon Heidebrecht, the concept of storage is getting a stylish upgrade.

"We just received the keys from the builder a few weeks ago," says Heidebrecht. "It’s not your typical storage unit. Our space is beautiful, heated, secure, and designed to be whatever you want it to be."

More than just a place to store boxes

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." 

For Funk’s Autobody in Steinbach, the upcoming “Fix a Dent, Fund a Cure” event is more than just a fundraiser – it’s a heartfelt initiative rooted in personal experiences. Owner Myles Chaput shares, “Cancer has touched all of our lives, including within our own business circles. Cystic fibrosis hits even closer to home for me personally; both of my cousins were born with it. I’ve watched them battle it their entire lives.”

When Chef Sachin Fernandopulle accepted the role of executive chef at Grandpa’s Café in December 2024, he saw it as more than just a career move – it was a personal challenge. Having honed his culinary skills in Winnipeg’s five-star hotels and institutions, Fernandopulle was eager to bring his expertise to a smaller community.

“It was my first time working in a small community,” he says. “I took it as a challenge, and I’m loving it so far.”

Danny Berg’s journey with D&A Sales and Service began in the most modest of settings: his garage in Kleefeld. What started in July 2023 as a one- or two-day-a-week side hustle has now grown into a thriving business with a 2,500-square-foot facility – and big dreams for the future. 

“I started with a hope, a prayer, and a couple bucks,” Berg says with a chuckle. “We were repairing motors and pressure washers out of a 400-square-foot garage. It was very small at first, but we’ve come a long way.”