Lethbridge fares well in budget

Money for affordable housing, U of L and Lethbridge College

Affordable housing and industrial expansion initiatives in Lethbridge have won support from the provincial government. In his budget speech Thursday, Finance Minister Joe Ceci announced grants which will include $7 million for infrastructure serving the $350million Cavendish Farms potato plant. The New Democratic Party’s third budget also provides $3.5 million, over a fouryear period, to build affordable housing as part of the long mooted London Road Gateway project.

The government’s 2017-18 budget also provided $2 million to allow the Lethbridge Public School Board to start planning a new elementary school in the city’s growing southeast corner. Lakeview Elementary, currently the closest, is operating at or above design capacity.

As for postsecondary education, the budget also confirmed $123 million over the next three years for the Destination Project, a multi-purpose science and academic building underway at the University of Lethbridge. It also allocated $10 million for completion of the new trades and technology complex at Lethbridge College.

Other Lethbridge-specific grants will include $21 million this year from the province’s Municipal Sustainability Initiative, and $700,000 in support of greater access for indigenous residents at the city’s libraries.

Mayor Chris Spearman, who travelled to Edmonton to hear the details, voiced city council’s response to the Lethbridge project approvals.

The London Road housing initiative will be a positive step toward reducing homelessness, he predicted.

“We are delighted that the present Alberta government is providing long-awaited funding for this project,” he said.

The new accommodation will be “a critical piece in helping us address homelessness and the need for affordable housing in our community.

Spearman said the project is “fully designed and shovel-ready, as we have been waiting for an announcement of this nature since 2011.

“We hope to break ground on the project later this year.”

Councillor Blaine Hyggen, chair of the Lethbridge Housing Authority, said its first phase is expected to provide 14 units, including barrierfree suites. Some will be located on 13 Street South, immediately north of London Road Market, while others will be on the south side of the street.

The $3.5-million grant, he said, will cover most of the project’s cost.

“It’s a great win for sure, for our community.”

Hyggen said the $7 million in municipal and irrigation infrastructure support funding will go toward rerouting a portion of the St. Mary River Irrigation canal, which currently crosses part of the land being bought by Cavendish Farms.

The government’s $21-million commitment of MSI funding for Lethbridge, he said, will reduce the level of taxpayer support required to complete the leisure centre construction and the Yates Centre upgrades.

While a new school for southside families is expected to cost more than $15 million, District 51 superintendent Cheryl Gilmore cheered Thursday’s $2-million funding announcement.

“It’s symbolic of a commitment,” she said.

Site and construction timing details will be discussed at an upcoming school board meeting, she added.

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