Neat to Know: September 25, 2024

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Please enjoy this week's edition of Neat to Know, a roundup of City news, updates, and other important information. You can expect to see the week's most interesting content and even some that may have not been delivered through our regular channels. 


Fire Prevention Week

Fire Prevention Week is fast approaching (October 6–12), and this year’s campaign focuses on the importance of working smoke alarms in the home. According to National Fire Protection Association, smoke alarms reduce the risk of dying in a home fire by more than half (54%). Meanwhile, roughly three out of five fire deaths happen in homes with either no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. Medicine Hat Fire and Emergency Services offers these key smoke alarm safety tips and guidelines:

  • Install smoke alarms outside of each separate sleeping area (like a hallway), on each level (including the basement) of the home, and in every bedroom.

  • Make sure smoke alarms meet the needs of all family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.

  • Test smoke alarms at least once a month by pushing the test button.

  • Replace all smoke alarms every 10 years.

For more information about Fire Prevention Week, smoke alarms and safety activities for the whole family, visit medicinehat.ca/fire-prevention-week.


National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is Monday, September 30. The day was established in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action. Its purpose is to honour the survivors of residential schools, along with their families and communities, and to ensure the tragic history of these institutions is never forgotten.

Where possible, flags at all City of Medicine Hat facilities will be lowered to half-mast from sunrise to sunset, and the Saamis Tepee will be lit orange to bring awareness to this important day.

Visit medicinehat.ca/ndtr to learn more about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and City initiatives.

The following are impacts to City of Medicine Hat services on Monday, September 30:

  • City Hall will be closed to the public
  • Big Marble Go Centre will be open from 12 to 5 p.m.
  • Crestwood Rec Centre will be open from 12 to 5 p.m.
  • Co-op Place and Esplanade Arts and Heritage Centre will be closed to the public
  • Medicine Hat Transit service will not be available
  • The Waste Management Facility (landfill) will be closed to the public
  • There will be no residential waste collection; service will resume on Tuesday, October 1 in Zone 1

Read more here


Outdoor Pools and Spray Parks

The outdoor pool and spray park season is winding down – it's the final week and weekend of the season to enjoy these beautiful facilities. Three are still open – two spray parks and one outdoor pool.

Take advantage of the beautiful weather to end the season! Hill Pool, Kiwanis Central Spray Park and Strathcona Island Spray Park are all open for the season until Sunday, September 29 at 7 p.m.

Spray park hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily

Public swimming hours at Hill Pool

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Art in Motion

Saturday, September 28 from Noon to 5 p.m. downtown Medicine Hat

This dynamic celebration of Medicine Hat’s vibrant art and culture will transform the Esplanade Arts and Heritage Centre, Towne Square, Riverside Veterans’ Memorial Park, and part of First Street SE into a lively hub of creativity, family fun and community engagement.

Patrons can expect art demonstrations, hands-on activities, an Art Market showcasing more than 40 local vendors, a variety of performances, live music, and cultural displays.

View event page

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Building permits are up

2024 is already on track to far surpass last year in terms of the number of building permits issued. But rather than just tell you, let’s play a game!

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Stay tuned next week as we report the results of the poll and break down the numbers that led to the increase.

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Help us kick off Neighbourhood Associations

Neighbourhood Associations plan and promote community-based activities that enhance quality of life and cohesiveness within a specific area by fostering a sense of belonging among residents. Through collaboration between City of Medicine Hat, Medicine Hat Local Immigration Partnership, Alberta Health Services, and Medicine Hat Public School Division, Medicine Hat has an overarching not-for-profit organization that can support grassroots neighbourhood associations across the city!

Join a neighbourhood walk October 5 or 6  Learn about or register a neighbourhood association


Review the Medicine Hat Arts, Heritage, and Entertainment Plan

The City invited residents, businesses, and community groups to participate in shaping a plan that resonates with our community's Arts, Heritage, and Entertainment scene. After much engagement, a draft plan is ready for review.

Review the draft Arts, Heritage, and Entertainment Plan online and send written feedback to Cassandra@expeditionconsulting.ca by Friday, October 4, 2024.

Attend the engagement station at Art in Motion Saturday, September 28 in the main lobby of the Esplanade between 12 and 3 p.m. and speak to our facilitator. Cassandra will be there with a copy of the draft plan and presentation boards to collect your feedback.

Read the draft Arts, Heritage, and Entertainment Plan


Intermunicipal Development Plan survey and open house

This plan establishes a regional framework for attracting and coordinating economic opportunities and managing land use, subdivision, and development in the IDP area. The current Plan boundary encompasses the Town of Redcliff, the City of Medicine Hat and some surrounding areas within Cypress County.

Attend the open house Thursday, October 3 between 4 and 8 p.m.  

Complete the survey by October 14, 2024

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Upcoming deliberations for 2025-2026 Budget

As we near the final quarter of 2024, the 2025-2026 budget presentations and deliberations accelerate. We encourage you to tune in to watch these meetings to understand the very complex analysis and reasoning that leads to decisions about the City’s budget, tax rates, and utility rates.

  • Rate-Based Utilities: Tuesday, October 22, 2024 3:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
  • Energy: Wednesday, October 30, 2024 3:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
  • Municipal: Tuesday, November 5, 2024 3:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
  • Land + Consolidated budget: Wednesday, November 13, 2024 3:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.

Budget 2025-2026 on Shape Your City

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Seal your fate

We’re kicking off a new crack sealing program around the city on Thursday, September 26.

Crack sealing aims to extend the life of roadways, and prevent future larger maintenance projects, which are more costly. This proactive project is a key component of the City's road maintenance strategy.

Weather permitting, we expect this project to be completed by the end of October.

View the map

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When in drought… we met our water reduction goals

Thanks to voluntary efforts of Medicine Hat residents and businesses, as well as strategic restricted usage for City departments mandated in Phase One of the City’s Water Shortage Management Plan, there was a 20% reduction in water usage from May to August 2024 over the same period last year. Thank you for helping us meet our phase one water reduction goals!

We’re not out of the woods because we still need to see high precipitation in the mountains this winter to replenish the upstream storage reservoirs along the Oldman River Basin, so Medicine Hat remains in Phase One. But we’re thankful for the wet spring and that we were able to avoid the severe drought that was forecast for our area this summer.

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