Lethbridge Minute: Board Applications, Tourism Lethbridge, and the Fire Chief Reflects

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

This Week In Lethbridge:

• There are no Council or Committee meetings this week. Regularly scheduled meetings will resume next week.
  
  
• The City is looking for residents to join the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board to help shape local development decisions. This quasi-judicial board provides an opportunity to actively contribute to the community’s growth and future. Applications are open until February 28th, 2025. Interested applicants can consult the BCC Toolkit for information on eligibility, term lengths, and meeting schedules.
  
  
• Lethbridge's new Pickle Point Centre is officially open. A ribbon-cutting ceremony and a tournament drew over 120 players from across Canada. The facility features eight indoor courts, a snack bar, and a pro shop, providing a year-round venue for the growing sport. The Centre complements the outdoor courts at Legacy Park and aims to grow the sport further in the region.

Last Week In Lethbridge:

• Lethbridge Fire Chief Greg Adair reflected on a successful 2024 for Lethbridge Fire & Emergency Services (LFES), noting a decrease in ambulance calls. Key accomplishments included signing a two-and-a-half-year EMS contract with Alberta Health Services and strengthening community partnerships. The department also expanded its workforce by adding 13 firefighter paramedics. Looking ahead to 2025, LFES plans to ramp up recruitment, expand the 911 center, collaborate with the Lethbridge Police Service, and prioritize wildfire prevention and the relocation of Fire Station 3.
  
  
• The Lethbridge and District Exhibition (LDE) was named the Lethbridge Herald's Newsmaker of the Year for the second consecutive year, though the 'honour' stems from its ongoing financial struggles. In 2023, the LDE requested significant financial support from the City to cover escalating construction costs and operational deficits. An independent review uncovered various issues, including non-compliant expenses and communication gaps during the planning of the Agri-Food Hub and Trade Centre, which opened in 2023 but soon faced financial troubles. The City allocated one-time funding, and plans were made to refinance the LDE’s debt.
  
  
• Tourism Lethbridge said they had a successful year in 2024, focusing on culinary tourism with initiatives like a recipe book and the Savour Alberta’s South project, which highlighted local food across southern Alberta. They also continued their collaboration with regional partners, including the Brighter Together Food Journey, which brought national media attention to local cuisine. They also launched the Lethbridge Sport Tourism brand and engaged in partnerships with organizations like Travel Alberta and the Tourism Industry Association of Canada.

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