It's only rock 'n' roll, but the Manitoba government likes it.
Construction is well underway on a new 1,400-seat concert facility at Club Regent Casino, the first concert-specific venue of that size to be built in Winnipeg in a century.
The project will reportedly cost taxpayers $17 million by the time it welcomes its first performers and fans next spring. At that time, it appears Club Regent's sister casino, McPhillips Street Casino, will shutter its 550-seat concert venue. Both facilities are owned by the province.
Most of the people running other music venues in Winnipeg have complained about the province competing against them for shows since the two casinos opened about 20 years ago. The Burton Cummings Centre for the Performing Arts (1,600 seats) and the Pantages Playhouse Theatre (1,475 seats) are the venues that are most obviously in the crosshairs.
from Western Investor October 2013
