CIP open house draws interest

Residents urged to provide feedback on capital projects

Local residents were provided an opportunity to provide first-hand feedback on proposed City of Lethbridge capital projects for the next decade during an open house event at city hall on Wednesday. Jody Meli, director of the City Manager’s office, said the event was intended to provide an opportunity for local residents to come and learn and to give feedback on proposed capital improvement projects city council will be considering. She noted the event has been well attended. “I’ve been very pleased,” she aid. “People who are interested were definitely showing up so they could have conversations with City staff or their councillors. I’ve seen quite a few people here.”

The Capital Improvements Program identifies required capital projects and sets a planning schedule and finance plan. All projects will be approved by council, and the city is in the planning stages for the next CIP for the years 2018-27.

Meli said community projects generally create the largest amount of interest.

“Nothing against utilities,” she said. “But people don’t get excited about underground sewers or electricity, some of those projects.

“You see a lot more people interested in things like the performing arts, or the Exhibition, and the baseball stadium. Things they have some passion about.”

Meli said it is especially important for local residents to keep in mind the 107 projects listed are only proposals at this point.

“That’s really key,” she said. “These are projects that have been thought and proposed by people in the community or even our own staff, who hear things we want to be considered.

“You have to think about long-term, as well. It’s a 10-year program, and here they’ll approve four years of that.”

She said now that the projects have been itemized, the real work will begin when council begins deliberating and assessing priorities for the coming years.

“I think it’s important for people, if they do have something to say, that they come out,” she said. However, she noted only individual council members would be able to answer how much the suggestions and comments from local residents might weigh on their individual decisions.

“I think, in my view, it’s great awareness to the community that this is going on,” she said. “And then to provide the ability to discuss, or get more information, or provide feedback.”

While the consultation process is winding down, Meli said there is still time to provide online feedback by heading over to the City website at

lethbridge.ca and finding “2018-2027 Capital Improvement Program Proposed Projects.”

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