Lethbridge Minute: Issue 259

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

📅 This Week In Lethbridge: 📅

• On Tuesday, at 12:30 pm, there will be a City Council Meeting. City Council is being asked to provide direction on developing its 2026 strategic plan. Council must choose both a location - either local or within two hours of Lethbridge - and a process resourcing model: external consultant-led, internal City-led, or a hybrid approach. The strategic planning process is recommended to follow four phases: Discovery and Understanding, Collaborative Planning, Public and Stakeholder Engagement, and Documentation and Finalization, taking six to eight months to complete. Local venues are lower cost and easier to access, while non-local venues offer separation from daily activities and may foster creativity but increase travel expenses. External consultants bring experience and impartial facilitation but are more costly, internal resources reduce expenses but require more staff time, and a hybrid approach balances both cost and expertise. Total costs will be funded from unspent Council Travel Budget allocations, with a maximum estimate of $112,000. Council is asked to finalize planning and logistics based on these choices.
  
  
• At 3:00 pm, Council will hold a Public Hearing to gather feedback on a few land use changes. One proposes changes to the Specialist Offices Plan for 1905 10 Avenue South to allow a counselling office to operate on the site, a use not permitted under the current SOP zoning. Another concerns 110 Sunridge Road West and would allow the construction of 12 residential dwelling units instead of the commercial development previously planned for the site. It would include reduced on-site parking requirements, specific architectural standards, pedestrian connections to sidewalks, and stormwater retention measures.
  
  
• The City of Lethbridge is seeking public input on a new north-south active transportation corridor connecting Winston Churchill High School to the Sugar Bowl, running roughly from 26 Avenue North to Scenic Drive South between 16 and 20 Streets. This corridor would improve access to the Sugar Bowl, Chinook Regional Hospital, multiple schools, nearby parks, shopping areas, and residential neighbourhoods. As part of the 2017 Cycling Master Plan, 18 Street has been identified as a potential “bike boulevard,” and the study will assess whether it is the best route while ensuring sidewalks remain, vehicle lanes are unchanged, and parking adjustments are minimal. The City plans four rounds of public engagement, beginning with a Community Conversation on Thursday, January 29th, from 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm at the VisitLethbridge.com Arena, and also offers an online survey. The finalized design is expected by the third quarter of 2026, with additional opportunities for public feedback on the concept and functional designs before then.
  
  
• Lethbridge’s new Environmental Incentive Program is off to a strong start, according to the City. Launched on Earth Day 2025, the program offered homeowners rebates for water-saving upgrades (specifically low-flow toilets and rain barrels) to help reduce household water use. Residents could claim rebates for up to two low-flow toilets and two rain barrels, with the city covering 50% of costs to a maximum of $100 per item. In its first year, the City approved more than 360 rain barrel rebates and over 140 rebates for low-flow toilets, indicating strong uptake. Details on the 2026 rebate program are expected later, as the City continues to encourage water-smart upgrades to manage long-term consumption pressures.
  
  
• BILD Lethbridge is offering complimentary booth space to non-profit and charitable organizations at this year’s Southern Alberta Home, Garden & Leisure Show, taking place March 12th -14th. The initiative aims to help local organizations engage with the community and build meaningful connections. Non-profits must meet specific eligibility criteria, including being registered in the Lethbridge region, aligning with the show’s themes, and being able to staff their booth for the full duration. Applications are evaluated using a scoring matrix that considers mission alignment, community impact, public engagement value, and financial need, along with practical factors like show layout. The program is limited in availability, so interested organizations are encouraged to apply early.  Applications are open until February 3rd, 2026.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

The City of Lethbridge is studying a new north-south active transportation corridor to better connect schools, parks, the hospital, and neighbourhoods, with public input shaping the design.

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