Motion to halt consideration of new projects defeated

City council defeated a motion by Coun. Ryan Parker which would have stopped all council consideration of any new potential community facilities or capital projects brought forward by community groups until at least 2025. Parker felt the motion would send a strong message to community members that, in his words, “the bank of Lethbridge has run dry.”

He said this did not preclude projects being brought forward for council consideration before that time if new federal or provincial funding became available, or for those which have existing provincial or federal funding. He pointed out Lethbridge had spent nearly $500 million on new facilities over the past decade, and felt council should be focusing on maintaining what it has rather than undertaking any new spending during this CIP cycle on “passion” projects brought forth by community members.

Councillors Jeff Carlson and Mark Campbell both responded to Parker by stating given the current situation the City was in, with fewer prospects for federal or provincial grant funding, it is obvious a lot of belt-tightening was in order but, they said, there was no harm in council hearing capital project proposals from community members. Hearing them out, they said, did not in any way, shape or form obligate council to fund these projects.

Council voted 6-3 to reject Parker’s motion. Councillors Parker, Blaine Hyggen and Joe Mauro voted in favour.