The Economic Standing Policy Committee of city council held its first day of deliberations Monday as committee members seek to set the City’s capital priorities for the 2022-2031 CIP cycle over the next five days.
During the morning session, committee members considered several final submissions before entering into discussion and debate on specific CIP asks. A few submissions drew extra debate from committee members, including a proposal to spend $1.7 million on a new sports field and another $850,000 on an expanded gymnasium for a new westside elementary school announced by the province earlier this year which should open by 2025.
Under the City’s 1959 joint-use agreement with local school boards this type of investment has become fairly standard whenever a new school is built. However, committee members questioned staff on Monday as to whether or not these past capital projects have had a good return on investment for the community as a whole, which is supposed to be allowed
To this point in the construction of its new “EXolution” conference centre and agri-food hub, the Lethbridge & District Exhibition has used largely local trades providing a direct and immediate stimulus to the local economy. Exhibition Park Chief Operating Officer Mike Warkentin told city council’s Economic Standing Policy Committee on Wednesday that of the 3,920 worker hours put in on the site to date that over 70 per cent, or about 3,500 hours, had been filled by local trades. “This project certainly is a community project that has invested money back into the construction industry in Lethbridge,” Warkentin reported proudly to committee members.
Advocates seeking performing arts centre on list of capital projects
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The possibility of constructing a new performing arts centre downtown was once again on city council’s radar as the Economic Standing Policy Committee heard from advocates seeking assurances their project would be on the council’s list of capital projects to be completed in the next 10 years. During Wednesday’s committee meeting advocate Dianne King, who is a member of city council’s performing arts centre steering committee, pointed to the City’s own public plans dating back over the last 20 years identifying that the citizens of Lethbridge have long requested a new performing arts centre, including in its 2021 community survey used during the public consultation process for the City of Lethbridge’s new community master plan.
To this point in the construction of its news “EXolution” conference centre and agri-food hub, the Lethbridge & District Exhibition has used largely local trades providing a direct and immediate stimulus to the local economy.
Exhibition Park Chief Operating Officer Mike Warkentin told city council’s Economic Standing Policy Committee on Wednesday that of the 3,920 worker hours put in on the site to date that over 70 per cent, or about 3,500 hours, had been filled by local trades.
“This project certainly is a community project that has invested money back into the construction industry in Lethbridge,” Warkentin reported proudly to committee members.
Council welcoming input on CIP
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By Letter to the Editor on April 16, 2021.
As the current third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic continues, it’s more important than ever for everyone to do what they can to prevent further spread of this virus in our community. I strongly encourage all residents who are eligible to get vaccinated. After a short delay and re-scheduling due to supply, I was able to receive my first dose of vaccine last week. Vaccines are proven to be safe and highly effective at preventing COVID-19. Getting vaccinated will help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in community and will allow our economy to get back on track.