Neat to Know: June 12, 2025
Your weekly roundup of City news, updates, and other important information.
Come celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day
We're pleased to invite the public to attend a National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration event at City Hall on Friday, June 20, 2025! The event will be held in the plaza - a tepee will also be set up outside of City Hall on the grass near Finlay Bridge.
There are many incredible opportunities during the event including:
Check out more on this event, and other Indigenous Arts and Culture opportunities during National Indigenous History Month on our website.
What to know: weather events
Extreme heat
Despite some much-needed rain today, temperatures will be rising with summer around the corner. It's important to stay safe and cool on hot days.
Remember to:
- Close your blinds and use fans or A/C if possible.
- Plan outdoor activities for early morning or evening.
- Stay hydrated with water and avoid caffeine and alcohol.
You can also visit the Big Marble Go Centre, Medicine Hat Public Library, Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre, City Hall vestibule, or Medicine Hat Mall to cool off during regular hours of operation.
Check on loved ones, especially those who are vulnerable, and keep an eye on your pets. Let's enjoy summer safely!
For more information about how to stay safe in the heat, visit the Alberta Health Services website.
Poor air quality
Air quality events, like we've experienced this week in Medicine Hat, can bring health risks to the public.
As smoke levels increase, health risks can increase - check the Air Quality Health Index before you plan your day.
Here's what else you need to know:
- Limit time outdoors where possible
- Reduce levels of outdoor physical activity
- Close outside windows and doors
- Stay hydrated
For more information about tips to stay safe during poor air quality, visit the Alberta Health Services website.
Time is running out to nominate a deserving individual or organization for a Community Spirit Award!
Nominate those who have made a big impact for a Community Spirit Award before Monday, June 16 at 4:30 p.m.
Occupancy Permits: Going with the flow... chart
Launching or relocating a business can come with uncertainties, but our Planning and Development Services (PDS) team is here to make the process smoother. Our newly developed Occupancy Permit Flow Chart provides step-by-step guidance to help navigate occupancy requirements.
To further support the journey, PDS also introduced a Professional Involvement Guideline, outlining when expert assistance is required or could benefit a project. While professional involvement may not always be necessary for opening a new business, engaging the right experts early in any commercial project can streamline processes and set you up for success.
This information was placed on relevant pages across our website like Commercial Business and Building a Commercial Space to make it accessible when you need it.
And, as part of the ongoing commitment to process improvement, PDS is working towards developing an interactive webform—a user-friendly way to access and engage with this content.
Whether you have questions or need guidance, Planning and Development Services is here to assist—just reach out!
Municipally Controlled Corporation public hearing reminder
The City of Medicine Hat is exploring the possibility of transitioning our distribution and electric generation energy governance to a Municipally Controlled Corporation (MCC) with a Rate Review Committee. We held two public Q and A sessions in early June to answer questions from the public, and on June 24 at 4 p.m., our community has an official opportunity to provide feedback at a public hearing in Council Chambers. This is the community’s chance to share their thoughts with City Council before they decide on whether to proceed.
In preparation for the public hearing and information sessions, we recommend watching this 90 minute segment from the May 20 City Council meeting where the energy team outlines the Municipally Controlled Corporation business structure, value proposition, Rate Review Committee structure, unanimous shareholder agreement, and the process for this proposal.
Learn more about the proposed project on Shape Your City, and get more information about the public hearing on our website.
Paving the way
Crews began paving Maple Avenue SE this week as part of our annual roadway resurfacing program.
Work has begun near the Allowance Avenue SE overpass and will continue north. This paving work is scheduled to be completed by the end of the month, weather permitting.
For more information on this project, and to view our project maps for more details on other projects, check out our news release linked below.
New campaign disclosure rules for election candidates
On May 15, 2025, Bill 54, the Election Statues Amendment Act, 2025, received Royal Assent to amend the Local Authorities Election Act. Information about these legislative changes is outlined in a collection of fact sheets published under Changes to the Local Authorities Election Act on Open Alberta.
One of the main differences for anyone considering a run for office in any municipality in Alberta is that partial campaign expenses must be disclosed before the election. Candidates who have received contributions beginning January 1 and ending July 31 of the election year must file a campaign disclosure statement for that period by September 30 of the general election year.
Find more information for prospective Mayor or Councillor candidates, visit our election webpage below.
Fire Station 2 Open House
Saturday, June 21 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.Medicine Hat Fire & Emergency Services is celebrating 125 years of service this year! Join them at their Fire Station 2 Open House for a family-friendly day featuring:
Please note, there’s no on-site parking, but a FREE shuttle will be running continuously from the Mall to the event and back—just a quick two-minute ride each way.
Check out the Facebook event below for more details.
Energy in Motion
Saturday, June 14 – 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Kiwanis Central ParkFor the whole month of June, we're celebrating Parks & Recreation Month with our Energy in Motion events!
Week two sees us in Kiwanis Central Park for a morning of movement, connection, and community fun — all for FREE!
This week’s theme is all about celebrating how we Love Our Parks & Green Spaces, and Central Park is the perfect place for that! we’re filling the park with ways to get active and creative:
- Learn to Play Disc Golf - The pros from Medicine Hat Disc Golf Club will be on hand all morning to teach you the ropes. No experience is needed!
- Pick-Up Basketball - Hit the court for a friendly game or two — all skill levels welcome!
- Free Play Zone - Grab a soccer ball, football, or try out our lawn games.
- Sidewalk Chalk Station - Show off your artistic side and bring Central Park’s pathways to life
- Free Glitter Tattoos - Add a little sparkle to your day!
- Active Fun with Ever Active Schools - Join in on all their games and activities.
- Prairie Pride Guild of Medicine Hat and District - Stop by their booth and show some love for inclusive community spaces!
- Sweet Treats! Pop's Popsicle Truck will be on site serving up cool treats on a hot day.
Whether you’re tossing a disc, shooting hoops, or just enjoying a sunny morning in the park — there’s something here for everyone. Come explore, play, and celebrate the power of parks with us!
For details about our upcoming events later this month, click below:
Rooftop Silent Disco is back
Get ready to dance under the stars—Medicine Hat’s favourite rooftop party is back at the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre!
The Esplanade’s Rooftop Silent Disco returns on Saturday, August 9, bringing back unbeatable vibes with three live DJs blasting music through your wireless headphones, and the best city views to match the beats. It’s your chance to dance the night away in one of the most unique party settings in town.
This year, we’re turning it up a notch:
🕐 Party later—now running until 1 a.m.
👟 More people to dance with—capacity increased to 200
🎧 Pick your vibe—three channels of live music to choose from
Tickets are flying fast on Tixx.ca, so don’t wait—this is the hottest ticket of the summer!
Get ticketsLast days to view two exhibitions
It’s the final few days to visit in-house curated The Feminine Lived Experience and TREX’s Athletic Aesthetic in the galleries at the Esplanade. All good things must come to an end, and these are due to close Saturday, June 14 at 5 p.m.
While you’re here explore the Hands-On Discovery Zone, the permanent historical exhibition The Evolution of Medicine Hat, and the latest visual arts exhibition opening ahead of schedule Colin Starkevich’s Forever Grasslands.
Admission to galleries is always Pay What You Will where you decide the price of your experience.
Attendance-dance Revolution
Our two premier event facilities had spectacular attendance numbers in 2024!
A combined total of 266,346 people came through the doors of Co-op Place and the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre last year. The exciting events and exhibits listed above are some of the many reasons why.
Co-op Place had 181,680 of those people excited to attend the centrepiece of sport and entertainment facilities, plus enjoy world-class concerts and events, and Medicine Hat Tigers games.
The other 84,666 people flocked to the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre to witness where arts and heritage come to life – where the stories of our great collective culture are told through concerts, plays, exhibitions, programs and more.
These stats, plus many more, are included in our Annual Report for 2024. Want to see all the City of Medicine Hat was up to and what we accomplished last year? Read the full report below!
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