Neat to Know: October 15, 2026
Neat to Know is 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.
Invasive goldfish removal – Celebration Park pond
We'll be draining the pond in Celebration Park starting next week to remove a large school of goldfish and manage the environmental effects of this invasive aquatic species.
There are over 100 large goldfish after some were illegally released into the pond and multiplied, with the potential for a lot of eggs buried in the bottom of the pond as well.
Starting Monday, the pond will be drained and left empty over the winter. Staff will remove the fish and winter temperatures will be used as a method to eliminate as many eggs as possible.
Read our public advisory to learn more about the importance of this work, and how to properly get rid of non-native fish and aquatic species.
Manhole repairs – Dunmore Road hill
A single lane on the Dunmore Road hill will be closed next week to accommodate manhole repairs.
The outside (right) lane will be closed to motorists traveling up the hill between Spencer Street SE and 13 Avenue SE. All other lanes on this section of Dunmore Road will be unaffected.
This closure will be in effect from October 19 to 23 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
Please obey posted signage and proceed with caution in the area for the safety of workers and the public. Motorists are thanked for their patience and understanding while this vital work is completed.
Finlay Bridge closure – centre street light replacement
Finlay Bridge will close to vehicle traffic on Wednesday, October 21 to accommodate the replacement of centre street lights on the bridge.
Weather permitting, this will be a one-day closure and Finlay Bridge will reopen to traffic by the end of the workday.
Read our public advisory to learn more about what to expect during this brief closure.
Don’t toss used batteries
Fire Prevention Week has come and gone, and Medicine Hat Fire and Emergency Services was pleased to be out in the community all week reminding residents that “Safe Charging is a Superpower.”
Using the right charger, following the manufacturer’s instructions, and charging everyday devices safely can all help reduce the risk of battery-related fires. But battery safety doesn’t stop when a battery reaches the end of its life. Never put used batteries in the garbage. This includes rechargeable lithium-ion batteries as well as common household batteries such as AA, AAA, C, and D batteries. Batteries can be damaged or crushed during waste collection and processing, creating a fire risk for waste facilities, the environment and the City employees who work there.
Help protect our community and our City workers by recycling used batteries properly. Visit recycleyourbatteries.ca to find a battery recycling location near you.
Rattle Making Workshop with Brenda Mercer
Saturday, Oct. 17 | 12 to 3 p.m. | Esplanade
Join Indigenous artist and storyteller Brenda Mercer for From Hide to Rattle: Tradition & Craft, a hands-on workshop inspired by Hidebound, the Esplanade's current exhibition exploring the history and craft of leatherworking. Discover the tradition of Indigenous rattle making, learn how different materials create unique sounds, and craft your own deer hide rattle to take home.
Surrounded by the stories and objects featured in Hidebound, participants will connect with Indigenous traditions, view examples from the Esplanade's collection, and personalize their rattles using decorative materials provided. No experience is necessary, and all materials are included.
Hear more about the workshop directly from Brenda.
Register for the workshop here.
The Great Pumpkin Smash
Saturday, Oct. 24 | 1 to 3:30 p.m. | Esplanade
Join us for our annual Great Pumpkin Smash, a free, all-ages Halloween event filled with pumpkins, creativity, treats and plenty of spooky fun. Bring the whole family, come dressed in your favourite costume, and get ready to send a pumpkin flying from the Esplanade terrace!
When you’ve had your turn on the terrace – don’t head home just yet! There is a lot to do:
- The Boo Revue! performance by Puppet Stuff Canada at 3 p.m. in the Main Theatre
- Spin Your Own Spider Web - Get creative with a hands-on art activity where kids weave colorful yarn webs and add their own spooky spider!
- Free Face Painting
- Listen to live music from Sounds of Thunder
- Sunshine Learning Bus - Explore the bus and enjoy a fun, hands-on experience
- Food Truck - Road-Runner Smash and Dash
- Complimentary cookies and treats
- Free pumpkins for the smashing, while they last!
Want to see more upcoming events, programming and activities? View all options at City of Medicine Hat facilities:
Your perspective can help resolve assessment appeals
Property assessment notices are issued each year to inform you of the value of your property that determines the amount of property tax you owe. Did you know that if you are unsatisfied with your property assessment, you have the right to appeal (before the designated complaint deadline) and refer the matter to an Assessment Review Board for evaluation?
The City of Medicine Hat is currently seeking members to serve on the Assessment Review Board. Members hear assessment appeals, review evidence, and help ensure property owners receive fair consideration under the Municipal Government Act.
Your perspective can help resolve assessment appeals. Apply by October 30 at medicinehat.ca/cityagencies.
Apply for a City board, commission or working group
The City of Medicine Hat is currently recruiting residents to serve on a variety of city agencies. And there’s still time to apply!
Whether your interests lie in community development, planning, heritage, accessibility, public safety, libraries, or other civic matters, there's an opportunity to contribute your voice and expertise.
There’s no better way to engage than by having a seat at the table – and we just happen to have some empty chairs available!
Current openings include:
- Assessment Review Board
- Combative Sports Commission
- Community Vibrancy Advisory Board
- Heritage Resources Working Group
- Municipal Planning Commission
- Public Library Board
- Police Commission
- Subdivision & Development Appeal Board
Applications are accepted until Friday, Oct. 30 at 4:30 p.m.
Are you ready to make a meaningful impact? Apply online at medicinehat.ca/cityagencies
Alcohol in Parks – Last day to do the post-pilot survey
Park users can take a post-pilot survey until 11:50 p.m. tonight to let us know how this program affected you and your enjoyment of these spaces.
The Alcohol in Parks pilot program concluded on September 30. It allowed users 18 years and older to responsibly consume alcohol while seated at designated picnic tables in Kin Coulee, Echo Dale Regional Park, and Strathcona Island Park.
Learn more and take the survey on the Alcohol in Parks Pilot page on Shape Your City.
Five financial reserves
Last week, we introduced the City’s financial reserves as part of our financial story. Let’s dig a little deeper.
The City maintains five different reserves:
- Operating Reserve - Savings that keep everyday services running smoothly and absorb surprises like insurance claims, investment losses, or inflation. Like an emergency fund for a surprise car repair or a higher-than-usual heating bill.
- Capital Reserve - Savings dedicated to funding the City's major infrastructure projects, both maintaining current assets and building new ones. Like a dedicated home-renovation fund you build up before a big remodel.
- Medicine Hat Endowment Fund - A permanent community fund with a $200 million target. Only the earnings above inflation are spent, so the fund keeps benefiting residents indefinitely. Its target balance is protected against inflation using the Alberta Consumer Price Index. Like a fruit tree you never cut down - you only ever pick the fruit, so it keeps producing forever.
- Abandonment Obligations Reserve - Savings set aside specifically to cover the cost of safely shutting down, dismantling, or cleaning up aging assets when they reach the end of their life. It is like knowing you'll eventually pay to tear down and haul away an old shed, so you save for it in advance in a jar labeled “future demolition”.
- Energy Transition Reserve - Savings set aside to help pay for shifting the City's energy infrastructure toward net-zero emissions targets set by provincial and federal governments - a cost that's uncertain but potentially very large. Like setting money aside now for the electric vehicle you know you'll need to buy later.
Learn more at medicinehat.ca/reserves.
To view all our career opportunities at the City of Medicine Hat, visit our Careers webpage and sign up for job alerts.
Hospitality Lead (Kitchen Lead Line Cook)
Temporary | Casual | On site
Bring your culinary leadership and passion for exceptional guest experiences to a role where no two days are the same. As a Hospitality Lead, you'll be at the heart of dynamic, high-energy venue - guiding teams, elevating food and beverage service, and ensuring every guest interaction leaves a lasting impression.
Project Engineer - Plant Maintenance
Permanent | Full-time | On Site
Bring your mechanical engineering and project management expertise to the City of Medicine Hat's electric generation operations. As our Project Engineer, Plant Maintenance, you'll lead equipment improvement projects, provide practical engineering support, and work closely with operations and maintenance teams to strengthen the safety, reliability, and efficiency of our power plant.
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