Lethbridge Minute: CultureLINK Report, Air Show, and River Crossing Funding

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

This Week In Lethbridge:

• The Civic Works Standing Policy Committee will meet on Thursday at 1:30 pm. During the meeting, the Committee will receive a presentation from Integra Biologics about promoting the Chinook Biosphere, an integrated bio-industrial facility. The Chinook Biosphere aims to enhance Southern Alberta's agri-foods and agricultural sector by improving wastewater treatment capacity, converting waste into biogas, and producing renewable natural gas. The Committee will also review the Parks and Cemeteries 2022 Annual Report. This report covers the department's accomplishments, including the number of trees planted, grass maintained, and new gravesites developed. Finally, the Committee will hear a presentation on the Planning and Design department’s 2022 Annual Report, which emphasizes the importance of sustainable development and community engagement in shaping the city's growth and development.
  
  
• This Saturday, the ENMAX Centre will host the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Canada Cup Series, showcasing the top bull riders and bucking bulls from across the country. The event promises to be a thrilling experience for all in attendance, as they watch the riders do their best to stay atop the bulls for eight seconds. Tickets are in high demand, and can be purchased online.
  
  
• We are hosting a Pints & Politics event on Friday in conjunction with our friends at the Alberta Institute. Please join us for some casual drinks and an opportunity for everyone to get together with like-minded Albertans to chat about politics. There's a lot going on, so there will be plenty of conversation topics! The event will be held at Honkers Pub & Eatery from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Please RSVP here.

Last Week In Lethbridge:

• Council authorized Mayor Blaine Hyggen to seek funding from the provincial and federal government for a functional planning study on the feasibility of the Chinook Trail river crossing. Although Council voted 5-3 in favour, some Councillors argued that it should not be a Council priority. Mayor Hyggen, though, wants Council to get the ball rolling on the issue, owing to 60.4% of voters expressing support for a third river crossing on the 2021 election ballot. He argued that the City should explore receiving funds from other levels of government so as not to overburden Lethbridge taxpayers if the crossing is ultimately approved.
  
  
• It was announced that the Lethbridge International Air Show will be returning a year earlier than expected, in 2023, after concerns were raised about potential conflicts with the Royal Canadian Air Force’s 100th Anniversary celebration in 2024. The event will showcase a mix of military and civilian assets and by having the show early, a wider range of aircraft will be available. Organizers anticipate the show will have a significant economic impact on Lethbridge and promote the city’s aviation heritage and tourism industry. It will take place on Saturday, July 29th and Sunday, July 30th, 2023.
  
  
• A report presented at the Cultural and Social Standing Policy Committee showed that the CultureLINK bus service pilot, which launched last summer, attracted mostly local riders. According to the report, 89% of the total ridership consisted of current local transit subscribers, with the majority being between the ages of 25 and 44. The project provided free transportation to six tourist attractions in the city from June until September, including the Galt Museum, Casa, the Southern Alberta Art Gallery, Nikka Yuko Japanese Gardens, Fort Whoop-Up, and the Helen Schuler Nature Centre. The total cost of the pilot project came in below budget, but ridership was lower than even the least-used regular route.

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