Neat to Know: August 28, 2025
Your weekly roundup of City news, updates, and other important information.
One step closer: 24/7 shelter location
The City of Medicine Hat and The Mustard Seed are one step closer to determining a shelter location.
Over the last six months, at the request of the Government of Alberta, the City and the Mustard Seed have worked together to determine a more suitable location for the shelter.
After evaluating several properties, the parties have agreed to a potential location.
Read a joint news release for the proposed location and more information on this matter.
Labour Day hours
Hours and services at various City of Medicine Hat facilities will be affected by the Labour Day statutory holiday on Monday, September 1.
Visit our holiday hours page to view what to expect for City facilities, Medicine Hat Transit, and Waste Collection for Labour Day.
Outdoor pool, spray park season winding down
With the Labour Day long weekend somehow already here (where did summer go!?) that means our outdoor pools and spray parks will soon be closed for the season.
Outdoor pools
- The last day of the season for the Echo Dale Regional Park Swim Lake is Monday, September 1.
- The last day of the season for Strathcona Pool is Sunday, August 31.
- The last day for Hill Pool will be Sunday, September 7.
Spray parks
- Starting September 1, spray park hours of operation will change to 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- The spray parks in Ross Glen and Saamis Rotary Park close for the season on Tuesday, September 2.
- The spray parks in Kiwanis Central Park and Strathcona Island Park close for the season on Monday, September 22.
Kinsmen Aquatic Park
- The Kinsmen Aquatic Park is scheduled to re-open from annual maintenance on Monday, September 8.
Visit the Pools and Spray Parks page on our website for more information.
Free compost day
Our third-and-final free compost day of 2025 is just over two weeks away!
Our free compost finale is set for Saturday, September 13. Bring a shovel and container, and come load up (limit of 10 gallons per household).
- Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Location: 1453 Hutchinson Avenue SE
- Get directions: Google maps location
We gave away a combined 29,000 kilograms of SureGrow compost at our first two events in the spring!
Our SureGrow multi-purpose compost is an all-natural soil amendment produced by the City from materials in our annual organics collection program.
Check out medicinehat.ca/suregrow for more information.
Temporary closure - Fire Station 1 boat launch
The Fire Station 1 boat launch will be closed tomorrow (August 29) from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. while crews remove silt buildup from the area.
This proactive annual work ensures you can safely access the South Saskatchewan River all season long.
Trail traffic in the area may also be temporarily halted to ensure public safety while the work is underway. Please obey posted signage and follow any directions provided by on-site personnel.
During this brief closure, boaters and anyone looking to access the river with watercraft are still able to do so from the boat launches in Echo Dale Regional Park and Strathcona Island Park.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we work to maintain safe and accessible public spaces.
Municipal Matters – Underground Excellence
For our most recent edition of Municipal Matters in the Medicine Hat News, we had the opportunity to share how our Gas Distribution team keeps Medicine Hat running.
Christy Garland, the Manager of Engineering Operations with the Utility Distribution Systems department authored the latest article.
Read more from Christy, as she shares the crucial, proactive, behind-the-scenes work that the team does. Their work may be underground, but it powers life above ground every single day.
Why should you vote?
Every vote counts.
Typically, municipal elections have lower voter turnout than provincial and federal elections, meaning your vote carries more weight than you might think. In 2021, 19,998 Hatters (40% of eligible voters) voted in the municipal election. Your vote is more influential when a small pool of electors decides the outcome. In close races, a few dozen votes can determine who gets elected.
Medicine Hat’s municipal and school board election is Monday, October 20, 2025.
medicinehat.ca/election
Revitalizing our trail network
Our annual trail rehabilitation program is set to begin after the Labour Day long weekend. This year’s program focuses on two key corridors – one on the south side and one in the north.
Crews will remove existing asphalt and repave the following two lengthy sections of our Heritage Trail Network:
Work begins on the Viterra Trail section on Tuesday, September 2. Weather permitting, this work will wrap up in early October. Once completed, crews will move on to South Ridge Trail. Weather permitting as well, this section is slated to be under construction between October 6 and November 7.
Signage will be posted indicating work ahead as crews progress down the trail. Users are asked to please proceed with caution in these areas and enjoy a variety of other nearby trail options.
In total, we’ll be repaving another approximately 5.6 kilometres of the Heritage Trail Network as part of this annual initiative.
We’re excited to continue revitalizing our incredible trail system. The Heritage Trail Network is a shining amenity that allows residents of all ages to explore the community through a variety of modes of transportation.
Visit our website to learn more about our extensive network of multi-use trails.
Upcoming transit route changes
Fall North Zone Pilot update (Routes 10, 11, 12)
Transit has consistently had difficulty maintaining schedule adherence on Route 11 NW Crescent Heights. Starting on June 26, changes were made to both Route 10 and Route 11 to improve service and schedule adherence.
Following initial survey feedback, an adjustment to these routes began today (August 28), to refine travel time and arrival at the Transit Terminal.
These piloted changes will run from August 28 to December 31.
During that time, we are seeking survey feedback from users on your preference and experience. If the pilot is not an improvement, your feedback will allow us to consider alternative changes.
Take a quick survey
Art in Motion
September 13, 12 to 5 p.m.
Esplanade, First Street, Library and Courthouse Grounds, and City Hall East Side Plaza
Colour, culture and community are on full display as Art in Motion transforms the Esplanade and First Street into a hub of creativity and connection for the whole family.
This annual celebration back by popular demand brings to life the area with:
- Vibrant art installations and demos
- Live performances from music to dog agility
- Creative activities for all ages
- Indoor and outdoor markets
- A local resource fair
- Multi-cultural fashion
- And, for the first time, Sticks on First
From music and movement to hands-on experiences and fine art, Art in Motion showcases the talent and energy that make Medicine Hat thrive. Join us at this one-of-a-kind street festival and be part of a day where creativity connects us all.
Historic Walking Tours
Every Saturday until September 27 | 10 to 11 a.m.
Just five opportunities remain for you to enjoy one of our popular Historic Walking Tours in the 2025 season!
Medicine Hat is home to a rich, vibrant history, that residents and visitors have an incredible, immersive opportunity to learn about.
We rotate through three different engaging Historic Walking Tours, and host one every Saturday until September 27:
- First Street SE
- First Street SW
- Railroad District
Each walking tour comes with a complimentary guide, and offers unique looks back at prominent moments, stories, and figures from the past.
Don't miss this chance to step back in time and experience Medicine Hat's history in a whole new way!
Learn more about each tour and get your tickets below.
The technology of a large-scale venue
The ice has been installed once again at Co-op Place, which can only mean one thing: summer is almost over, and a new season of entertainment is almost upon us.
One visit to a Medicine Hat Tigers hockey game, or a concert or other special event, is enough to appreciate the complexity of hosting events at a venue of that size. However, the sheer scale of the underlying technology and infrastructure is perhaps even more impressive.
When talking about technology at Co-op Place, the obvious place to start is with the scoreboard hanging above centre ice. Measuring 18 feet tall and 26 feet wide, it contains over 1,000 individual LED panels among its various displays. In fact, if one enormous screen was assembled out of all the LED panels at Co-op Place, the result would be a video wall measuring 44 feet wide and 25 feet tall!
Want to learn more about all the technology that's behind the scenes at this beautiful venue? Read an article written by our Event Technology Specialist, Garret Johnson, for our Close-up on Co-op Place feature in the Medicine Hat News.
To view all our career opportunities at the City of Medicine Hat, visit our website and sign up for job alerts.
Accountant(s)
Bring your financial expertise to a team that values precision, collaboration, and impact.
The City of Medicine Hat is seeking two detail-oriented and forward-thinking Accountants to deliver professional accounting and financial services that support both our municipal operations and Commodity and Rate Based business units.
Permanent, full-time - Learn more and apply
Temporary (up to 18 months), full-time - Learn more and apply
If you're ready to apply your skills in a dynamic environment where your work makes a real difference, we'd love to hear from you!
Transit Operator/Service Worker
This is a temporary position, with casual hours, but it's also a unique opportunity to join the City of Medicine Hat team, gain valuable experience, and be part of a supportive workplace that truly makes a difference in the community.
This dual role combines the responsibilities of both a Transit Operator and a Service Worker.
As a Transit Operator, you will safely operate various transit vehicles, ensuring a courteous and respectful experience for passengers and other road users.
As a Service Worker, you will perform essential manual tasks, including cleaning and preparing buses, as well as providing temporary backup for Transit Operators.
Learn more and apply
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580 1 St SE
Medicine Hat, Alberta
T1A 8E6
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