The eventual opening of Winkler's multimillion-dollar Meridian Exhibition Centre (MEC) is creating a huge amount of anticipation for local residents.

Construction of the facility has been completed but the public is not able to use it right now because of the current COVID-19 health restrictions.

Mayor Martin Harder says the city has invested over a million dollars to create a facility that makes people of all physical abilities feel welcome.

"Obviously we have an elevator in the building that takes us to the seating area on the second floor. We have a special place for wheelchair accessibility to watch in comfort and there is significant maneuverability throughout that building. There is not a single public area in that building that is not accessible by wheelchair and we're very proud of it."

Harder notes the MEC also provides accessibility for sledge hockey, making it the first of its kind in Manitoba.

Construction on the building was finished in the fall and was scheduled to open for the hockey season, however, the pandemic has put the brakes on those plans.

"We're hoping that we will have some accessibility. We have a lineup of people wanting to use that walking track which is also fully accessible. So, we can't wait to open the doors even if some restrictions are put on it, but we need to have that facility open especially as it gets colder."

The 84,000 square foot centre features a second arena and indoor turf facility joined to the current Winkler Centennial Arena. The facility will also be used to host gala events.

Harder says one of the characteristics he likes the most about the building is its connection to natural light.

"Regardless of where you are in the public spaces of that building, you have an outside view. There is light that comes in from everywhere and it doesn't feel like a cooped-up arena.."

Harder notes the brightness of the MEC is very noticeable, and he feels there is no other facility that compares to it in the province in that regard, and that includes Winnipeg's Bell MTS Place.