Neat to Know: July 31, 2025
Your weekly roundup of City news, updates, and other important information.
Goodbye July, hello August long weekend
Where did July go?? It feels like we blinked, and we’re already headed into August. But, what better way to start a new month than with a long weekend!
The Heritage Day long weekend is quickly approaching - hours and services at various City of Medicine Hat facilities will be affected by the Heritage Day statutory holiday on Monday, August 4.
Visit our holiday hours page to view what to expect for City facilities, Medicine Hat Transit, and Waste Collection for Heritage Day.
Q2 report - permit application processing times
Our Planning and Development Services department has published its second quarterly report for its established Levels of Service for permit application processing times.
The Levels of Service are part of the department’s effort to provide predictable service levels to further strengthen confidence among the development community and all permit holders in Medicine Hat. The corresponding quarterly updates identify and measure desired levels to proactively improve community outcomes.
View both our Q1 and Q2 reports below!
Government Finance Officers Association Award
For the third consecutive budget term, the City of Medicine Hat has won the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). To earn this recognition, the 2025-2026 budget document met the GFOA criteria that reflects guidelines established by the National Advisory Council on State and Local Budgeting.
Rooftop Silent Disco
Saturday, August 9 | 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. | Esplanade
Find the flamingo to win tickets!!
Something fabulously pink has landed in Medicine Hat… and she’s ready to party.
There are five flamingos hanging out in iconic spots around the city to help you win tickets to our Rooftop Silent Disco! We’ll select two winners who will each win two free tickets. To play:
- Spot the flamingo and snap a selfie
- Post it on Instagram or Facebook and don't forget to tag @medhatesplanade + use #FindTheFlamingoMH
Winners will be announced August 7. Let the flamingo games begin!
Not into scavenger hunts but love a good rooftop party? No judgment... Tixx are just a click away.
International Youth Day
Tuesday, August 12 | 1 to 4 p.m. | Big Marble Go Centre
We’re excited to be partnering for an exciting slate of FREE programming for International Youth Day!
Youth aged 8 to 17 can enjoy FREE Medicine Hat Transit access all day.
They’re encouraged to head down to Big Marble Go Centre to take part in:
- Nerf Wars
- Foam Party
- Slip and Slide
- Pickleball
- Giant Parachute
- Community Fair
- Sensory Room
- And more!
And, enjoy FREE swimming at Crestwood Pool as well.
1 Street SW closure – new timeline
A small section of 1 Street SW is set to temporarily close after crews rescheduled a previously planned road closure to accommodate work on the Harlow and Noble Parks Restoration Project.
Crews will be installing a new water main through the parks starting Tuesday, August 5.
1 Street SW between Red Deer Drive SW and the entrance to Windmill Garden Centre will be closed until Friday, August 29, weather permitting. Motorists will be able to still access Red Deer Drive and the business throughout this work.
Detour signage will be in place throughout this closure. Please obey all posted signage.
Thank you for your patience and understanding – we look forward to completing this necessary infrastructure upgrade as part of this project!
A chalk down memory lane
This July, internationally renowned Canadian street artist Victor Fraser visited Medicine Hat to celebrate his mom’s 80th birthday—and left behind an incredible gift!
He freehand-painted two emblem murals on the sidewalks outside Fire Station 2 and Station 3 to honour the 125th Anniversary of Medicine Hat Fire and Emergency Services.
Learn more and watch a timelapse video on the MHFES Facebook page.
Invasive Weed of the Week
Brome, Brome on the range
Downy Brome
Plant facts:
- Downy brome is an annual grass that reproduces by seed only. Each plant can produce up to 5000 seeds.
- It quickly grows a large, fibrous root system to compete with perennial vegetation for moisture.
- Downy brome is native to the Mediterranean and southwestern Asia, and was introduced to North America by ships, contaminated crop seed, and packing materials.
- It now occurs throughout most of North America.
Why do we control this weed?
- Established downy brome will out-compete perennial seedlings for moisture.
- Downy brome is very aggressive in dry grasslands, especially when accompanied by overgrazing.
Control techniques – which are effective?
Downy brome is very persistent once established. Effective control must eliminate live plants, prevent seed formation, and control seed germination and emerging seedlings. A combination of control methods, repeated throughout the growing season for several years, has the best chance of success.
- Sowing and fertilizing of desirable species to compete with downy brome is effective, especially to support other control methods.
- Mowing may prevent seed germination, but since plants may be at different life stages, the possibility to disperse seeds increases.
- Hand pulling is effective for small infestations and must be repeated.
- Tillage can be effective when combined with other control methods and must be at least 10-15 cm deep to bury seeds.
- Several herbicides and herbicide mixtures are registered for use on downy brome, including Glyphosate, Dicamba, 2,4-D and Pyroxsulam. Our certified pesticide applicators ensure proper quantities and application techniques are used.
How can you help prevent its spread?
- Seeds can attach themselves to clothing, shoelaces, and animal fur.
- Check clothes and pets when leaving an infested area
Want to learn more?
Read more about Downy Brome on the Alberta Invasive Species Council’s website.
Why vote?
Local decision-making with local needs in mind
In Alberta, municipal government makes decisions that reflect the unique needs of their own communities by setting local bylaws, managing land use planning, and working to enhance quality of life for residents.
Medicine Hat is a perfect example in owning our own energy business. The decisions facing our Councillors are very different than the considerations in other communities. As another example, consider how the needs of a bedroom community like Chestermere (mostly residential tax-base, little to no commerce or industry) would differ from Grande Prairie which is a major center for forestry, agriculture, and oil and gas.
You can see why voting in your municipal election is crucial to meeting local needs.
Medicine Hat’s municipal election is Monday, October 20, 2025.
City Centre Vibrancy Program
We’re set to launch the City Centre Vibrancy Program on August 13, 2025.
The program is a funding initiative aimed at supporting local businesses and property owners in enhancing the visual appeal of their commercial space.
Learn more about this program, including eligibility requirements and how to apply, below.
To view all our career opportunities at the City of Medicine Hat, visit our website and sign up for job alerts.
Indigenous Relations Coordinator
Are you passionate about advancing reconciliation and building meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities?
We're seeking a dedicated Indigenous Relations Coordinator to lead initiatives that foster trust, promote cultural understanding, and ensure Indigenous perspectives are meaningfully integrated into municipal policies, programs, and services.
In this impactful role, you'll serve as a key advisor and liaison, guiding departments on Indigenous relations and protocols while championing inclusive, community-driven approaches to engagement and collaboration.
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Contact Us
Media Relations
580 1 St SE
Medicine Hat, Alberta
T1A 8E6
403-529-8100
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