Lethbridge Minute: Board Applications, School Modernization, and Downtown Activation Grants

Lethbridge Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Lethbridge politics

This Week In Lethbridge:

• The Safety and Social Standing Policy Committee will meet on Thursday at 1:30 pm. The Committee will receive the 2023 Report to the Community from the Green Acres Foundation, and the 2023 Public Art Program Annual Report. The latter report notes that 2023 saw the completion of 11 public art projects. The Lethbridge Police Commission will also submit their 2024 Annual Plan.
  
  
• The City is now accepting applications for the Community Wellbeing Advisory Board, which provides recommendations on the allocation of federal and provincial funding to enhance community wellbeing. There are nine open voting positions, with an emphasis on including diverse voices, especially Indigenous members. A virtual information session for potential applicants will be held on June 24th at 6:00 pm, and applications can be submitted via the City of Lethbridge website.
  
  
• The Lethbridge Rotary Dragon Boat Festival will return this weekend, featuring dragon boat races, live music, local vendors, and various activities at Henderson Lake Park. The event kicks off on June 21st with Opening Ceremonies and a Dignitary Paddle. Races, the ATB Kids Zone, and the Cancer Survivor C-Cup Challenge are scheduled for June 22nd, along with a Rose Ceremony to honour breast cancer survivors. The festival concludes on June 23rd with race semi-finals and finals, Medal Presentations, and a performance by The Chevelles. The 2023 event attracted over 20,000 attendees.

Last Week In Lethbridge:

• The Economic and Finance Standing Policy Committee recommended that Council approve one-time funding of $1.2 million for the modernization of Galbraith Elementary School. The Committee unanimously voted to authorize Mayor Blaine Hyggen to provide a commitment letter for the funding and requested that Administration present additional funding options at the June 26th Council meeting. The funding is intended for enlarging the school's gymnasium to a middle-school size. This funding would be provided in 2028, contingent on the Lethbridge School Division ensuring community access to the gym for a minimum number of nights per week throughout the school year.
  
  
• The Lethbridge & District Exhibition reported a net deficit of $1,165,093 as of April 30th, an increase of $412,325 from March, according to a presentation at the Economic and Finance Standing Policy Committee. The Exhibition noted that they are progressing positively with conservative future revenue estimates. They highlighted ongoing revenue increases and cost-control efforts, emphasizing the importance of upcoming events like Whoop-Up Days in improving the financial situation. Despite current deficits, they are optimistic about substantial revenue gains in the latter half of the year, particularly from July to September. The Exhibition has secured 20 new events for 2024 and five for 2025, focusing on attracting larger conventions and trade shows.
  
  
• The City announced six additional recipients of the 2024 Re-Imagine Downtown Activation Grant, aimed at revitalizing vacant and underused spaces. The new beneficiaries include Art Days Lethbridge, Heritage Day, Word on the Street, Centric Music Festival, Independent Film Festival, and Street Wheelers Show and Shine. These events range from artistic showcases and cultural celebrations to film screenings and car shows. Over $120,000 has been awarded to 17 projects across two phases of grant distribution. Applicants who did not receive sufficient funding are encouraged to apply for the Community Event Support Grant.

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