The Brandon Riverbank organization oversees development of the Assiniboine River Corridor. Heavy flooding in 2011 forced closure of the Riverbank Discovery Centre and cancellation of events. Rebuilding efforts are underway, focusing first on cleanup, pathway restoration, and dike stabilization to protect the Discovery Centre. Future plans include reopening Eleanor Kidd Gardens and regaining park access as dike construction is completed. Fundraising will be needed to balance the operating budget deficit caused by lost revenue in 2011.

1. Re-building Brandon’s Riverbank

2. • Brandon Riverbank is a not-for-profit, charitable
organization, established in 1995
• Governed by a volunteer Board of 8 directors; 4
full-time staff & 3 part-time staff are employed
• Mission is to develop the Assiniboine River
Corridor to be a gathering place, connecting
people with nature
• Over 5 million invested in River Corridor in 15
years including
• Red Willow Pedestrian Bridge
• Riverbank Discovery Centre
• Eleanor Kidd Gardens
• Power Smart Waterfall of Lights
• Networks of paved, lit pathways

3. • In 2000, Brandon Riverbank Inc. assumed
responsibility for delivery of Tourism Services on
behalf of the City of Brandon, and operation of
the Riverbank Discovery Centre as a year-round
regional visitor information centre
• Over the years, the Discovery Centre has
become “event central”, hosting many of the
outdoor events that take place in our
community
• Volunteers, sponsors and community partners
have invested significant time & resources to
develop the Riverbank into our community’s
gathering place

4. August 2005

5. May 2011

6. • Evacuated from Riverbank Discovery Centre from
May 6th to June 1st
• All outdoor events cancelled for 2011. Ability to
host 2012 events to be determined
• Canada Day Celebrations hosted at the Keystone
Centre
• Spring/summer Interpretive Programs cancelled
(2 week Swamp Camp did take place in August)
• Visitors to Riverbank Discovery Centre (Down
55% from 2010)
• Eleanor Kidd Gardens closed for 2011 & 2012
• Work is ongoing to regain meeting room booking
clients
• “Discoverer” boat tours discontinued again for
2011

7. • $18,000 over operating budget for 2011 due to
decreased revenue and increased expenses; has
been a very frugal year to keep costs down
• 2011 Duck Race revenue was $6,000 below
projections
• Ongoing impact for 2012 with lost revenue for
Eleanor Kidd Gardens rentals and potentially
Discovery Centre grounds/event rentals
• Entire re-development of all Riverbank projects will
cost millions & will involve the re-engagement of
government, sponsors and members of the
community

8. Completed
• General grounds clean up
• Playground reclamation
• East pond trail re-opened
• Power Smart Waterfall of Lights & skating oval
relocated to west end of McGregor Ave
Short-Term
• Have pathways “operational” in as many areas as
possible
• Remediation to Discovery Centre crawlspace
• Docks collected & to be refurbished over the
winter

9. Dike Erosion Between River & West Pond
• Stabilization work being done to protect Discovery
Centre against high water next Spring
• Working towards leaving dike washout & making
changes to pond to accommodate fluctuating
water levels
• Considering development of Commemorative
Plaza project in this area, making use of the
“current-free” inlet

11. Eleanor Kidd Gardens
• Will remain closed for 2012
• Park & Gardens re-development plan underway to
gain access to gardens and incorporate rock weir
road into design
• Re-opening of Eleanor Kidd Park & Gardens
depends on the completion of dike work and
development of road access to the area

14. Pathways
• As dike construction is completed, work with
City Engineering to re-establish pathways and
install lights to restore connectivity
• Incorporate dikes into pathway system in
various locations
Park Access
• As construction is completed, prioritize park
areas and construct road access accordingly,
regaining park and greenspaces throughout the
River Corridor

15. • Continue to fulfill all aspects of our 2009-12
Tourism Service Delivery Agreement with the
City of Brandon through Brandon Tourism
• Attached Statistics Brief outlines 2011 visitor
numbers at the Riverbank Discovery Centre.
• Manage human resource component of Brandon
First & participate in all aspects of the
organization
• Currently involved in the potential bid for 2017
Canada Summer Games

16. • 2010 Audited Financial Statements (Included in package)
• 2011 will leave the organization in an operating
deficit position for the first time since inception
• Organization has established a sustainable financial
model but reserves will be accessed to balance the
2011 operating budget.
• Fundraising initiatives include:
•Private donors - to Metre Donor & Arbour Trail
programs
•Memberships to Friends of the Riverbank
•Corporate Donations
•City-Wide Bench Program
•Annual Duck Race
• 2013-16 Tourism Services contract with the City of
Brandon to be finalized in 2012

17. August 2005

18. Thank you to the City of Brandon for their ongoing support this year.
Together with the help of our community, we can re-build
Brandon’s Riverbank to once again be
“A gathering place, connecting people with nature”
May 2011