Neat to Know: September 4, 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.
Council Highlights
After each regular City Council meeting, we publish "Council Highlights" to recap the main decisions. You can even subscribe to receive them right in your inbox by selecting the Council Highlights box at subscribe.medicinehat.ca.
At yesterday's meeting, Council passed a motion to request a municipal inspection, approved a recommendation to provide financial support to the Medicine Hat Tigers' 2026 Memorial Cup bid if successful, approved a recommendation to implement non-statutory public hearings as part of the process in the off-site levy procedures manual, and more!
Read the highlights Watch Council meeting
Want to attend a council meeting in-person? City Council meets on the first and third Monday of each month
Community Resilience
Recently, Director of Emergency Management, Merrick Brown, was deployed to Jasper to assist the municipality during their re-entry week. Merrick reflects on his experience providing support, working with Jasper residents, and how his experience will help build community resilience in Medicine Hat.
"On the morning of August 16, the first Jasperite arrived at the entrance of the Re-entry Support Centre. The experience of that day is difficult to describe but will always stay with me."
Big Marble Go Centre / Kinsmen Aquatic Park delay
As upgrades to the Kinsmen Aquatic Park (KAP) at the Big Marble Go Centre (BMGC) progress, the City of Medicine Hat has granted a construction extension to accommodate supply chain challenges along the way. Originally slated to reopen mid-September, the KAP is now scheduled to open to the public on October 11, 2024.
During this work, residents will be able to enjoy more time at our outdoor pools – Hill Pool’s summer operating hours have been extended until Sunday, September 29, weather permitting.
Dunmore Road hill bridge closure
The second-and-final weekend closure at the bottom of the Dunmore Road hill will be in effect September 7 to 8. The roadway will close this coming weekend to accommodate the overlay of the bridge deck over Seven Persons Creek, along with minor concrete works.
Similar to the August 24 to 25 closure, northbound traffic on Dunmore Road S will be detoured. Motorists looking to access Kingsway Avenue SE and Allowance Avenue SE will detour down College Drive, College Avenue, and back down Kipling/Spencer Street.
Dunmore Road hill will reopen by 6 a.m. on Monday, September 9.
Traffic delays are expected throughout this project. Motorists are asked to please obey all posted signage and detours. Active work areas will be defined with signage and barriers.
Strathcona Island Park storm sewer repair
The entrance to Strathcona Island Park at the intersection of 5 Street SE and Minto Avenue SE has been temporarily detoured to accommodate a brief repair to the sewer line running beneath the entrance.
During this brief construction work, the temporary entrance to Strathcona Island Park is located off Balmoral Street SE. Construction and detour signage is in place to detour park patrons towards this temporary access point.
Weather permitting, we expect the main entrance to Strathcona Island Park to be re-opened by the end of this week.
Lions Park washroom closure
The washrooms at the Lions Park ball diamonds have closed for the season.
Public washrooms are accessible nearby at the Strathcona Centre and Veiner Centre during each facility’s regular business hours. Washroom access is also available at the boat launch.
Please note, groups that have booked the Lions Park ball diamonds can still book them to be opened for events.
For inquiries, please contact the Parks and Recreation department at 403-529-8333.
Towne Square Block Party
Celebrating Teens and Youth
Saturday, September 7 from 12 to 4 p.m. at Towne Square
It’s the final 2024 Block Party this Saturday and we’re celebrating teens and youth! Come soak up a beautiful early September afternoon at Towne Square!
Enjoy mini escape rooms by Mr. E's Solve-it-torium, a Bounce of Fun obstacle course, drawing with local artist Eric Bellefeuille, live music from Christie Kurpjuweit, and an array of meals and treats from five different food trucks. Plus, take part in activities with the Medicine Hat Public Library, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Medicine Hat & District, Medicine Hat Women's Shelter Society, MyPlace/HUG, Be YOUth Centre and more! Plus, stop by informational booths from the Sanare Centre, Our Collective Journey, Daniel’s Dill Dip and a variety of amazing local vendors. Don’t forget, McBride’s Bakery has donated donuts for the event!
Municipal Mingle
Thursday, September 12 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Towne Square
The public is invited to Municipal Mingle at Towne Square!
This is a great opportunity for you to engage in informal discussions with the City on topics that interest you the most. We'll have 14 booths for you to interact with.
There's also something for the kids - and the kid in all of us. Check out a fire truck, snowplow and sander, garbage truck and more City equipment. And, enjoy games, food trucks, and a prize draw. The first 100 attendees will receive a $5 food truck voucher!
Medicine Hat Culture Days
Sunday, September 15 from 12 to 5 p.m. at Big Marble Go Centre
Medicine Hat Culture Days is back for 2024 and the City of Medicine Hat is pleased to be a sponsor for this year’s event.
Enjoy educational opportunities from a variety of cultures including Blackfoot and Cree ways, Latin dance, Ukrainian blacksmithing, Thai fruit carving, Chinese brush painting, Arabic calligraphy, a variety of sports and more! The main slate of programming begins at noon, with international soccer matches starting at 10 a.m.
Fixing gripes by replacing old pipes
Did you know: Over the past 10 years, our Environmental Utilities department has replaced a combined total of 46 kilometres of water and sanitary main lines around the city.
These projects have been – and continue to be – a part of the City’s commitment to a proactive approach to infrastructure replacement. We strive to ensure a level of service that provides both quality and reliability for residential and commercial properties in our community.
Interested in learning more about the status of current water and sewer projects in our city? Check out our City Projects page at medicinehat.ca/cityprojects
Old Cemetery Road hill open
Old Cemetery Road hill re-opened over the Labour Day long weekend as the Division Avenue South Rehabilitation project continues to progress.
The next phase of construction on this project includes rehabilitation of multi-use trail infrastructure, curb and gutter, and the asphalt surface on Division Avenue S from 12 Street SW to 10 Street SE.
Traffic detours will be in effect and will change as the active construction zone progresses on this project. Motorists are reminded to obey all posted signs, speed limits and detours for the safety of travellers and crews.
Weather permitting, this phase of the Division Avenue South Rehabilitation project will be completed by the end of September.
Budgeting for a municipality: Part 5
The final difference we’d like to highlight about how budgeting for a municipality is different from other levels of government, or even private interests, is that cities are mandated by the Municipal Government Act to provide a list of core services. Those items are non-negotiable by law and form an untouchable portion of the budget. In the eyes of the Municipal Government Act, services above and beyond the core list are discretionary based on the individual community’s needs and values. Balancing the community’s level of tolerance for taxation with their desired services forms one main foundation of the budgeting process.
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