Neat to Know: May 15, 2025
Back to Search
Your weekly roundup of City news, updates, and other important information.
One month before Community Spirit Award nominations close!
We are a month away from the application window for Community Spirit awards closing. If you know a local resident who has made a significant contribution to the community, consider an application on their behalf today!
Nominations require a completed form asking for a description of the person's contribution, the impact they’ve made, and additional awards they’ve received. The nomination package also asks for letters of support, one from the nominator, but you may also want to include letters from other community organizations or people connected to your nominee. This process takes a bit of time, so don’t wait to get started. You will also need a brief biography or resume and a high-resolution photo of the nominee. Read the nomination information, and don’t delay!
After June 16, all nominations packages will go to the Community Vibrancy Advisory Board for adjudication. Following City Council endorsement, an awards gala, on October 8, will celebrate those individuals in our community receiving these awards.
Downtown bike lockers
We are pleased to offer eight secure bike parking lockers for rent in downtown Medicine Hat as part of a pilot project. The pilot project aims to promote cycling as a safe, convenient, and viable mode of transportation by providing a safe place for cyclists to park.
Learn more about these affordable, safe and easy-to-use lockers located at Towne Square at the link below.
Victoria Day hours of operation
Hours and services at various City of Medicine Hat facilities will be affected by the Victoria Day statutory holiday on Monday, May 19. Visit our holiday hours page to view what to expect for City facilities, Medicine Hat Transit, and Waste Collection on Victoria Day.
Medicine Hat’s river valley, coulees, and natural areas are beautiful — but also vulnerable to wildfires year-round. Dry, windy conditions can cause fires to spread quickly.
As you head into the Victory Day long weekend, please stay safe and follow these guidelines courtesy of Medicine Hat Fire and Emergency Services:
✔️ Use fire pits responsibly — only burn clean, dry wood that fits inside the pit
✔️ Always extinguish your campfire completely before leaving
✔️ Keep barbecues and outdoor cookers away from buildings and fences
✔️ Dispose of smoking materials in sturdy, non-combustible containers
Medicine Hat Fire and Emergency Services wishes everyone a safe and fun long weekend!
Spray parks set to open
Spray parks are ready to open this month for the 2025 season!
Our Parks and Recreation team opens our four spray parks in a staggered approach annually, starting with two tomorrow.
Friday, May 16:
- Strathcona Island Park
- Kiwanis Central Park
Friday, May 23:
- Ross Glen Spray Park
- Saamis Rotary Park
Spray parks will begin the season with normal hours of operation (9 a.m. to 9 p.m.).
Street sweeping update
Our crews are progressing smoothly through the residential portion of our 2025 Spring Street Sweeping Program!
Crews continue work in Zone 10 this week. View the street sweeping zone map, and stay up to date on all the latest progress by visiting medicinehat.ca/streetsweep.
Fire Services’ Gala tickets on sale!
Tickets for the Firefighter’s Gala, a one-time event celebrating the 125th Anniversary of Medicine Hat Fire and Emergency Services (MHFES), are now on sale!
The event will take place on Saturday, October 25, at Co-op Place and is open to all members of the public who wish to commemorate this historic milestone.
We’re planning events in parks throughout Medicine Hat each Saturday for the month of June. You can expect lots of free, fun activities for all ages with a new theme and location each week.
- June 7 | 10AM-2PM | Big Marble Go Centre Theme: Inclusive Recreation
- June 14 | 9AM -12PM | Central Park Theme: Love your parks and green spaces
- June 21 | 10:30AM - 1:30PM | Strathcona Park Theme: Connect with the land and nature
- June 28 | 1-4PM | Echo Dale Regional Park Theme: The great outdoors
Join us each week for a brand-new line up of outdoor activities!
Stay tuned for more information on each of these exciting events throughout the month of June!
Downtown construction update
The 500 block of 3 Street SE, including the intersection at 6 Avenue, will be briefly closed to motorists starting Tuesday, May 20, as part of the final steps of the Downtown Utility and Surface Upgrade Project.
Most work on this block was completed in 2024 – all that remains is top lift paving, a concrete mid-block crossing, road markings, and other minor adjacent work.
We anticipate the work will be completed and the roadway re-opened by June 1, weather permitting. Minor project clean-up may remain once the roadway is re-opened.
Despite the road closure, businesses remain open!
We’ve also offered free parking at the transit parkade during the remainder of this project.
Visit medicinehat.ca/threestreetdowntown for more information on this project and downtown parking options.
Gas line work under Finlay Bridge
From May 20 to May 22, crews are removing an abandoned gas line from under Finlay Bridge.
Work in 2023 to upgrade a gas feeder line in NW Crescent Heights means the line that runs under the bridge to cross the river is no longer required.
But don't worry! We're not closing the bridge! While there will be flag personnel on site, traffic will still move in both directions on Finlay Bridge during the work.
Compost giveaway
A total of 14,000 kilograms of free SureGrow compost was claimed by 278 residents this past Saturday at our second free compost day of 2025!
That brings our 2025 total up to just over 29,000 kilograms. After giving away 20,000 kilograms over two days in 2024, it’s exciting to see participation grow by 45 per cent this year! We love to know residents are appreciating this initiative.
And, we’re not done there – one more free compost day remains this year! Circle the calendar for Saturday, September 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1453 Hutchinson Avenue SE.
Check out medicinehat.ca/suregrow for more information on our SureGrow compost product.
Engage through a City board or committee
The City is seeking applications for spots on two advisory bodies. The Community Vibrancy Advisory Board focuses on recreation, leisure, culture, arts and social matters in the community. The Working Group for Accessibility & Inclusion (WGAI) is an advisory body that advises and supports City departments on issues related to persons with physical, developmental and mental health disabilities.
BREIS State of Manufacturing
Medicine Hat Economic Development (MHED) has released the second of two industry-specific business retention and expansion studies (BREIS), focusing on the manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution industries in Southeast Alberta.
Check out more on this announcement and read the full report
What does a City Councillor do?
Whether you’re considering running for office or pondering how to cast your vote, it’s important to understand the role of a City Councillor.
The Municipal Government Act (MGA), a 600-page document, clearly defines the role of municipal government and its elected officials. As most of us aren’t likely to read the entire act, here are the basics:
- Council’s primary role is to ensure that services are provided to residents and property owners. This involves creating policies about what programs and services are to be delivered, the level at which they are delivered, and the budget required. They evaluate these policies and programs based on information they receive through the City Manager, and feedback from the community.
- As the elected officials of the community, our councillors are responsible for ensuring the concerns and needs of our residents are heard and addressed. They pass bylaws or resolutions at public meetings that define the policies and direction that city staff then put into action. This includes reviewing and approving the City’s budget.
- City Council is responsible for ensuring the municipality acts within legislation and meets all relevant requirements, such as appointing an auditor, holding public hearings on certain matters, developing a budget and levying taxes.
- City Council provides governance of the municipality, while administration (City staff) oversee operations. Governance includes setting policies, approving bylaws and budgets, and making decisions that guide the community’s future (big picture). City staff then use these policies, bylaws and budgets to oversee the day-to-day operations, services and programs in the municipality.
You can view the complete MGA at Alberta.ca or learn more about the role of City Councils on the Alberta Municipalities website.
Food and Beverage Unit Manager
Bring your passion for food, people, and experiences to life in a leadership role that makes a difference!
We're looking for an experienced Food and Beverage Unit Manager to lead our dynamic team across concessions, bar service, premium seating, catering, and kitchen operations. If you're a hospitality leader who thrives on creating memorable moments through food and guest service, this is your chance to take your career to the next level.
To receive updates directly to your inbox, subscribe to eNotifications for the categories that interest you. There is a blue box at the bottom of each page on our website that will allow you to sign up for a variety of list-serves, or go there directly with the button below.
Sign up for eNews
Subscribe