Discussions

I see a lot of people, (particularly those my age, early-mid 20s), complaining that there is nothing to do in Brandon. Other than all of the great things going on at the WMCA and cool pubs like Dock and Decker (and now the firehouse I hope) there really isn't a lot.  
Why do you love Brandon? What keeps you here if you aren't a student?

it would be family otherwise there is not much exciting to do or go to in Brandon. If you are not into malls, pubs, keystone shows then what's there left in here

Raxacoricofallapatorius said "I see a lot of people, (particularly those my age, early-mid 20s), complaining that there is nothing to do in Brandon. Other than all of the great things going on at the WMCA and cool pubs like Dock and Decker (and now the firehouse I hope) there really isn't a lot.   Why do you love Brandon? What keeps you here if you aren't a student? "

I love it when this question surfaces, because I'm always interested to hear from the 20 somethings about what IS missing from our community. Please share your ideas of what are the interests of 20 somethings these days. Perhaps someone reading this thread could make an idea a reality. So, that's your challenge...what do you want in Brandon as a 20 something that is missing?  
 
Edited by Dunno, 2015-12-19 07:53:19

im in my mid twenties im not into bars and that cuts alot of the things to do here, i have to go to winnipeg for anything fun for example the zoo and even things as simple as go karts, wpg has speed world its affordable and a blast theres always mid twenties, its to bad brandon has thigs but then seems to take them away, and prices for the few things there are to do seem to keep going up. Its a great city just not for the younger generation but that is just my opinion

that everyone is concerned with keeping 20's kids when the people the city should be catering to is the 30's and up. Those are the people who have the money to re-invest in the city through various means,whether purchasing or tax dollars.  
 
This is a great place for families to raise their kids. Brandon is not so big that it's difficult to get around to run errands, but not so small that you have to go to another city to get things done.  
 
I think people in their 20's have less imagination when it comes to doing things to keep themselves occupied, and get bored and complain a lot more because of it. Your bored but don't want to go to the bar? Go for a walk on the extensive walking paths that run throughout the city, stay home and read a book, get some friends together to play a board game. Want to go out?, go enjoy some appetizers with a couple of friends,go catch a movie.  
 
There is lots to do, but usually the suggestions get met with "I don't feel like doing that" It's not the city's job to think of things for you to do when you're bored.

I was born and raised here! I moved around for a couple years sure but I've always come back.  
I can still remember the old Brandon, when the downtown gallery was so busy! Remember the Pickle Festival?  
I may be bored some nights. However not so much so that I would publicly berate this city.  
There's the movies, bowling, the mall, and if you're young at heart "Ruckers" is still a fun date night for me. In the summer you have music in the park, we have 2 indoor pools, the skating oval. Some of these are slow this year due to upgrades and weather.  
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My main complaint being younger is the Keystone. Great bldg, but if you're not into hockey ie. Wheat Kings or horse shows there really is not anything else that happens there. Barely any music acts are brought in

I think brandon is great! I am in my 20's, and I think it has a great selection of restaurants, with multiple ethnic choices, a movie theatre, pubs and clubs, all kinds of events that are going on throughout the year (winter fair, summer fair, the pavilions, etc) coffee shops, a library, a shopping mall (which, I will admit, could use a few more decent stores), nice walking paths, a really great community, and clear lake is just a short drive away. I am from a bigger city originally, and it is nice to travel to big cities every now and again, but I think brandon has everything it needs, and then some! I think sometimes people just want what they can't have.

you compare with quebec, ontario, alberta, BC, not sure about maritimes common really nothing here in Brandon.  
You drive to winnipeg on a long flat highway ride.  
Good place to raise family! Well it's not only here other place are just as good with the plus doing something with them to do then go to a mini park or 8x10 water park.  

You can always go cross country skiing or something similar, join the wilderness club (I think that is what it is called), or try a sports club or team. As for these, there is judo and other martial arts clubs, boxing, indoor soccer (so I've heard), etc.  
 
I know that with judo, you can try it out first, so come by yourself or some buddies and try it out. The next classes start in the New Year. Pm me if you want to know more about the judo end of things.  
 
Sometimes one needs to look beyond what one knows or thinks they know about a place and try something different or be creative with friends or by oneself.  
 
When I was younger, I was unaware of some of the great things that there were to do in Brandon. Now that I am older, I understand that you need to just keep exploring. You will find something to do that you can enjoy if you keep looking. BTW...there are very many more things to do in the city now than when I was younger. It is great to see.  
 
Hmmm...do you have any friends from the country? Maybe a day visiting & learning about the activities of/on a working farm (grain, animals, mixed, market garden, etc) would be something different. There is always something to do on a farm. Just throwing that out there.

after Graduation I stayed in Brandon, MB. Found full time employment in a small town while living in Brandon than transferred to work in the city. I stayed mainly for the full time employment (but really with my career I can work anywhere). I found love for staying healthy and wanting to compete in bodybuilding. Fitness Quest and the amazing staff/trainers is the reason I stayed to achieve my goals. Than I met a man, the relationship was full of potential so I stuck around: needless to say some relationships run its course. Reason for staying now...comfort. Poor excuse, I know. Now looking for new hobbies/adventures but find it difficult.

wpggirlfrombdn said "that everyone is concerned with keeping 20's kids when the people the city should be catering to is the 30's and up. Those are the people who have the money to re-invest in the city through various means,whether purchasing or tax dollars.     This is a great place for families to raise their kids. Brandon is not so big that it's difficult to get around to run errands, but not so small that you have to go to another city to get things done.     I think people in their 20's have less imagination when it comes to doing things to keep themselves occupied, and get bored and complain a lot more because of it. Your bored but don't want to go to the bar? Go for a walk on the extensive walking paths that run throughout the city, stay home and read a book, get some friends together to play a board game. Want to go out?, go enjoy some appetizers with a couple of friends,go catch a movie.     There is lots to do, but usually the suggestions get met with "I don't feel like doing that" It's not the city's job to think of things for you to do when you're bored. "

I agree with you, why are we concerned with entertaining adults in their 20's when there's lots to do if you're only marginally creative. BUT there's a logic to appealing to younger crowds because we attract a lot of young people for school, and we want to entice them to stay. But you're right that people want ready-made entertainment, but that's the same anywhere.  
 
I grew up in Winnipeg and moved here when I was 28. We had the same complaints about Winnipeg in the 90's and early 2000 that I hear about Brandon now, and Winnipeg even then was 20x's the size of Brandon.  
 
Now days, every time I go to Winnipeg, I can't get back to Brandon fast enough. I like the freedom I have here to move, breathe, and think for myself instead of my senses being perpetually assaulted like in Winnipeg.

There's lots of service clubs. Volunteering is a great way to meet people and have fun. Volunteering for special events like the Santa parade and any other special event.  
 
There are two theatre groups. If your not into acting on stage, there's lots of opportunity in ushering, prop making, costume making, etc.