Neat to Know: November 27, 2025
Your weekly roundup of City news, updates, and other important information.
New sidewalk sandbox location, more to come
We've changed the location of one of our individual use sidewalk sand locations this winter!
Our concrete structure that held sidewalk sand outside our Municipal Works building has been moved across Kipling Street and is now in the parking lot on the east side of the Kinsmen Skate Plaza.
Our other four locations remain the same – look for the yellow boxes at:
🪣 4 Avenue NE, behind Shamrock Bottle Depot
🪣 Big Marble Go Centre, north parking lot
🪣 Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede, parking lot west of Kinplex
🪣 Southlands Drive SE, near Chartwell Place SE
And stay tuned... we'll be adding more locations for this service this winter!
Learn more about these boxes and other winter services at medicinehat.ca/snow.
Animal Pound Services update
Last week, a PCR test performed on a kitten in our Animal Pound Services (APS) facility resulted in a weak-positive confirmation of feline parvovirus/panleukopenia.
Our facility remains temporarily closed to the public to manage a 10-day isolation period. The facility remains accessible to Bylaw Enforcement.
Since the PCR test result, our APS staff have been monitoring closely for any additional symptoms in the cat population, and animals within the pound are doing well. Here’s what else our team has done since that positive test to ensure the safety and well-being of animals in our care:
Staff took immediate steps to isolate and monitor any cats who may have been exposed to the kitten. Kittens under four months old are at a higher risk of contracting the virus. The shelter currently has 16 kittens in this age group. While adult cats can contract the virus, most have stronger immune systems and may only act as carriers.
Strict biosecurity protocols have been followed, and both kittens and adult cats in the APS facility have been vaccinated. Staff anticipate that this will greatly reduce the likelihood of transmission.
The public is encouraged to postpone trapping or surrendering cats temporarily, to assist staff in managing the situation effectively.
We will update the public once the isolation period has concluded and we are able to safely re-open the APS facility to the public once again.
Ice safety reminder
Our first major snowfall has arrived, and while some water bodies may look frozen, they are not necessarily safe. Ice must be at least 4 inches thick for walking or skating — and even then, conditions vary.
Most importantly: 👉 Stay off the South Saskatchewan River at all times during the winter. Rivers have strong currents beneath the surface that prevent ice from freezing safely, no matter how cold it is.
Before stepping onto any other ice, keep these tips in mind:
- Check the thickness: Minimum 4 inches for walking or skating.
- Watch for warning signs: Avoid slushy, cracked, or discoloured ice, and stay away from inlets, outlets, or moving water.
- Be prepared: Carry safety gear such as ice picks, rope, and a whistle. Wearing a life jacket over winter clothing can add protection.
- Supervise children closely: Never let kids play on or near ice without an adult present.
Stay safe this winter — and enjoy the season responsibly!
It’s easy to help: Donate to Community Warmth
This neighbour-helping-neighbour program offers a convenient, cost-effective mechanism for customers to donate money by having a dollar amount added to your utility bill each month. This funding assists City of Medicine Hat utility customers who are unable to pay their utility bill due to financial hardship or crisis. Learn more at medicinehat.ca/CommunityWarmth.
Battery safety – Holiday shopping edition
Black Friday is almost here, and holiday shopping is in full swing! Check out the following information from Medicine Hat Fire and Emergency Services on which types of batteries to look for in products, and more:
If you’re purchasing electronics, chargers, or batteries, remember to choose products with safety certification logos such as CSA, UL, or ETL (Intertek). These labels indicate the items have been properly tested and are safe for use in Canada. Uncertified products can overheat, fail to shut off properly, and potentially cause fires.
Help keep our workers and our landfill safe by recycling your batteries. Please don’t throw them in the garbage! There are many local drop-off locations, visit recycleyourbatteries.ca to find a safe recycling site near you.
Looking to upgrade your home and save on energy costs?
Medicine Hat’s Clean Energy Improvement Program makes it easier than ever to invest in energy-efficient renovations.
In addition to low-interest financing, you may also qualify for a rebate. Completed projects could earn a 6.6% reduction on their loan and homes built before nineteen-ninety may qualify for an extra 3.6% SmartFit incentive. Stack it with HAT Smart rebates for even more savings!
Female Swim and Fitness Hour
Saturday, Nov. 29 | 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. | Crestwood Rec Centre
We're pleased to offer a dedicated swim and fitness hour for females only. We're providing a comfortable and welcoming space for those who may not otherwise feel comfortable accessing public swimming or fitness spaces.
The facility will also be staffed by an all-female team during these times.
Enjoy a comfortable, inclusive environment to swim and stay active with other women in your community. No need to pre-register, just show up and enjoy. Regular admission rates apply for non-members.
Rooted in Action: Volunteerism Learning Series
Session 2 – Volunteer Screening
Monday, Dec. 8 | 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. | Esplanade
Are you a local organization that utilizes our community's volunteers?
We're pleased to partner with Volunteer Alberta to host a free volunteerism learning series aimed at rejuvenating and educating the volunteer base in the community! These sessions are a mix of in-person workshops and virtual webinars.
After a very well-attended virtual session in early November to kick off the series, we’re ready for session two in-person next month!
This session will provide participants the opportunity to explore processes with the support from Volunteer Alberta facilitators. They will evaluate and prioritize what will help them improve and reduce barriers to onboard volunteers.
Learn more about each of these engaging sessions, and register on our event series page.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales
Black Friday: Nov. 28 at 12 p.m., until Nov. 30 at 11:59 p.m. | Esplanade
Cyber Monday: Dec. 1 | 12:00 a.m to 11:59 p.m. | Tixx.ca
This weekend only, get tickets to select shows at the Esplanade at 50% off. Quantities are limited so get them while they last!
On Cyber Monday, get or renew your E Membership and receive 50% more TIXX.ca credits. That's $30 in credits!
Visit tixx.ca for more information.
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Specialist - Learning and Development
Permanent | full-time | on-site
The City of Medicine Hat is seeking a dynamic Specialist - Learning and Development to join our People Services Team.
This position will work with the broader People Services team as well as key stakeholders within the City of Medicine Hat to create and implement learning and development programs to enhance individual and organizational performance.
If you're ready to make a meaningful impact and foster a culture of continuous learning, we want to hear from you!
Visit our careers page to learn more and apply for this job.
Customer Service Representative
Temporary (up to six months) | full-time | on-site
Are you passionate about delivering exceptional customer service and thrive in a fast-paced environment? As a Customer Service Representative, you will be the first point of contact for residents and businesses, providing support for utility, tax, and general accounts receivable.
This role involves processing customer transactions, maintaining accurate records, and assisting with inquiries. If you're detail-oriented and enjoy helping others, we encourage you to apply!
Visit our careers page to learn more and apply for this job.
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