Neat to Know: October 2, 2025
Your weekly roundup of City news, updates, and other important information.
Impressive stats for Rec and Ride Youth Pass
Our Rec and Ride Youth Pass concluded last month, marking an incredible inaugural year for the initiative.
The pass was valid from June 27 to September 5 – it was a collaborative initiative between the City’s Parks and Recreation department, Medicine Hat Transit (MHT), and the YMCA of Southeastern Alberta.
Check out our news release below to see the impressive stats as we recap the 2025 program period.
Community shelter suggestions
There continues to be a lot of community interest in determining a permanent location for emergency shelter services in Medicine Hat.
We’ve assembled some information on the need and value of shelters in a community, which you can find on the Community Shelters page on our website. There is a ton of important information on this page that we encourage residents to read.
We’ve also had a lot of people suggesting locations for a permanent shelter on social media, and we appreciate your interest in working together to solve this matter.
To ensure your suggestions are officially submitted, visit our Community Shelters webpage. You’ll find a Location suggestions form linked under the Selecting a new shelter site section, where you can submit your thoughts.
Thanksgiving hours
Hours and services at various City of Medicine Hat facilities will be affected by the Thanksgiving statutory holiday on Monday, October 13.
Visit our holiday hours page to view what to expect for City facilities, Medicine Hat Transit, and Waste Collection for Thanksgiving.
Close up on Co-op Place
Manager of Event Operations, Derek Schesnuk, had the opportunity to author our most recent edition of Close up on Co-op Place in the Medicine Hat News, out today.
This fall has a diversity of exciting events to enjoy out at Co-op Place.
Whether you’re a die-hard live entertainment enthusiast, or looking for a fun night out, our upcoming event lineup at Co-op Place is as dynamic as the team that pulls it off behind the scenes.
Read more about what’s on deck, and what goes into planning and executing these events at the link below.
September 29 City Council meeting
During this week’s City Council meeting, Council:
- Discussed the recommendations outlined in the Municipal Inspection Report and passed several motions to accept recommendations from the report.
- Approved a motion to give notice in writing to City Manager, Ann Mitchell, of City Council’s intent to terminate her appointment and her employment and that Mitchell remain on administrative leave with pay.
- Directed Administration to alter Section E.3.3. of Bylaw 2244 regarding Medium Commercial classification.
- Approved distribution of the 2025 Community Vibrancy Grants in the Community Projects and Activities and Annual Festivals and Special Events streams.
Advance Polls open Saturday
Advance Polls open in Medicine Hat this Saturday, October 4 at 9 a.m. Voters have a choice of locations to cast their vote early with polling stations located on both the north and south side of the City:
- Hockey Hounds Recreation Centre (39 10 Street NE) - view location
- Holy Family Parish (1451 Strachan Road SE) - view location
Advance polls are open:
- Saturday, October 4, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Tuesday, October 14 to Saturday, October 18, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Extra assistance is available at advanced voting stations for persons with physical disabilities. Please bring photo ID with you.
For more voter information, including eligibility, identification requirements, and polling station maps visit medicinehat.ca/voterinfo
Canada Post strike and Special Ballots
Despite the Canada Post strike, voters who have indicated they are unable to pick up their special ballots in person will still receive their special ballot packages via courier.
Where possible, the Elections Office requests that electors who have requested mail delivery switch their delivery method to ‘pick up’ from the Elections Office by emailing election@medicinehat.ca or calling 403-529-8221.
Voters are responsible for ensuring their completed Special Ballot arrives at the Elections Office no later than 8 p.m. Monday, October 20. Late ballots will not be counted.
Kangaroo Board ballot counting
We're kicking off election month with a demo of the Kangaroo Board ballot counting method!
Recent updates to the Local Authorities Elections Act ban the use of electronic tabulators so, for the first time in decades, the ballots from Medicine Hat's Municipal Election will be counted by hand.
Since a single ballot may include votes for multiple candidates (up to 8 for Council and up to 5 for school board trustee), the Kangaroo Board method is an efficient way to streamline the hand-counting process.
Learn how your vote will be counted by watching this video on our YouTube Channel.
Good Neighbour Day
Nominate your neighbour or share a story
Saturday, October 4, 2025 is Good Neighbour Day in Medicine Hat. It's a chance to come together, connect, and celebrate the incredible people and places that make our neighbourhoods special.
Tag us in your stories, photos, and videos at #GoodNeighbourDayMH. Nominate a Good Neighbour or share your stories on Shape Your City – why do you love your neighbourhood and what makes it special?
Share your story or nominate a neighbour by November 1, 2025 and be entered to win a $100 local prize package!
Help us build strong relationships, create welcoming spaces, and show that Medicine Hat is a city with a big heart!
E-Talk: Forever Grasslands
Thursday, October 9 | 7 p.m. | Esplanade
Join us for a salon-style dialogue bringing together voices from art, science, ranching, and beyond to reflect on our shared connection to the prairies. Inspired by Forever Grasslands, Colin Starkevich’s sweeping paintings of golden hills, coulees, and thriving wildlife, this guided yet organic conversation explores one of Canada’s most resilient and fragile ecosystems.
Afterward, enjoy refreshments and an informal tour of Forever Grasslands with the artist himself.
Discover Rec
Friday, October 10 | 4 – 8 p.m. | Big Marble Go Centre
Discover a new sport every month with Discover Rec! This October, try your hand at Badminton — no experience needed. Meet new friends, stay active, and have fun! Ages 13+, all equipment provided.
Immersive Screening: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1
Thursday, October 16 | 7:30 p.m. | Esplanade
Step into the wizarding world with an interactive film experience like no other!
Your ticket includes a prop pack filled with surprises to cheer, chant, and cast along with the story—making you part of the adventure. Boo the villains, wave your glow bracelets for Patronuses, and keep your wand hand ready… mischief managed.
🎟️Early bird tickets are limited— grab yours before they vanish!
🍹Add-On: Begin your evening with a 30-minute Potions Mixology Class (alcoholic or alcohol-free). Spots are scarce, so book early!
Family Fun Night: Halloween Spooktacular
Friday, October 31 | 4 – 8 p.m. | Big Marble Go Centre
Get ready for a night of fang-tastic family fun! Our October Family Fun Night is going full Halloween mode with spooky games, crafts, and activities perfect for all ages.
🧟 Zombie Freeze Tag
👻 Ghostbusters Tag
🧙♀️ Witches & Wizards Dodgeball
🎃 Haunted Pumpkin Patch Dodgeball
🕷️ Halloween Crawler Nerf Wars
🧪 Magic Potion Sensory Bottles
🍂 Pumpkin Patch Collage
Costumes encouraged—because what’s a Spooktacular without a little dress-up?
Grab your family, bring your boo, and let’s make it a night to remember!
To view all our career opportunities at the City of Medicine Hat, visit our website and sign up for job alerts.
Accountant
Multiple positions
Bring your financial expertise to a team that values precision, collaboration, and impact.
The City of Medicine Hat is seeking a detail-oriented and forward-thinking Accountant to deliver professional accounting and financial services that support both our municipal operations and Commodity and Rate Based business units.
In this role, you'll do more than prepare statements and reports-you'll provide insights that help guide strategic decisions, shape budgets, and strengthen our community's financial foundation.
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.
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Contact Us
Media Relations
580 1 St SE
Medicine Hat, Alberta
T1A 8E6
403-529-8100
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