Planning is underway for Canada’s 150th

RENOVATIONS AND FESTIVITIES HIGHLIGHT THE LOCAL CALENDAR

Fifty years ago, Lethbridge residents marked their nation’s centennial by building the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden. In the years since, it’s become one of southern Alberta’s major tourist attractions.

This summer, the tranquil garden will become a focus of attention once again, as we celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday. Festivities planned there in mid-July are among many Canada 150 celebrations and projects planned for Lethbridge and across the region. While some are still in the planning stages, others have already begun.

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Renovations and upgrades are well underway at the Yates Memorial Centre, the city’s multi-purpose performance venue for the last 50 years. A $3.5-million grant from the federal government’s Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program, added to the $9.9 million the city had already included in its current capital improvement program, allows all the work to be completed at one time — instead of over two phases, as earlier planned.

“It’s fantastic we get to do it all at once, and it’s very efficient to do it that way,” Mayor Chris Spearman pointed out when the federal grant was announced earlier this year.

An elevator, barrier-free washrooms, seating and acoustic improvements are part of the project, along with building code upgrades to the mechanical and electrical systems. ••• Important upgrades will also be made to the Max Bell Aquatic Centre at the University of Lethbridge, which is matching a $180,000-federal grant to provide locker room renovations and better lighting as well as repairs to the steam room and dive tower.

The city’s pools and ice rinks, meanwhile, have become the setting for no-cost family events — another way to mark the year. The city is offering free “sesqui” skates and public swimming, rotating weekly through venues across Lethbridge. This summer, they’ll include free sessions at Westminster and Henderson Lake outdoor pools. ••• Nearby at the Japanese Garden, a “full moon” concert by guitar virtuoso Nobuki Takamen on June 9 — part of this year’s Lethbridge Jazz and Blues Festival — will be followed by a two-day “Experience the Friendship” celebration, July 14 and 15.

The garden and all of Henderson Park will be humming on July 1, of course, when groups from across the region join in Canada Day festivities. City officials are promising a “bigger and better Canada Day celebration,” with details to be announced closer to summer. ••• Organizers have already announced part of their lineup for this year’s Lethbridge International Air Show. The Canadian Forces’ Snowbirds will once again headline this year’s show — the 25th edition. This year’s events will be earlier, July 14-16, including a Friday night show and a lower-priced family matinee on the Sunday. ••• And the University of Lethbridge, celebrating its 50th anniversary through the year, has announced a “Shine on Summer Festival” for Sept. 1-3. Southern Alberta’s Corb Lund and Vancouver-based country music star Dallas Smith will be headliners at a Sept. 2 concert in the U of L Community Stadium.

“I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the last weekend of summer and our 50th anniversary,” says U of L president Mike Mahon.

A free “community fair” and the pyrotechnics of the Canadian National Fireworks Team are also among the public events. ••• Canada 150 celebrations, obviously, aren’t restricted to Lethbridge. Projects and special events have been announced by many nearby communities.

To the west, the Fort Macleod Historical Association won a grant for a special 150th celebration there. And Granum will use $100,000 to rehabilitate the community’s recreation facility.

In Lundbreck, the Bert Riggall Environment Foundation got support for a “new heritage tourism experience that promotes environmental conservation.” And Pincher Creek received more than $460,000 from the federal government to add a spray park as part of an enhancement project for the town’s multi-purpose public facility.

Turning south, the Magrath Curling Club received 150 Community Infrastructure funds to renovate its curling club, while Cardston got $250,000 to upgrade its swimming pool.

And heading north, the Vulcan and District Historical Society is creating a digital presentation showcasing the recipes and traditions of different cultural groups in its area. Meanwhile in Nanton, rehabilitation work is proceeding at the town’s curling rink while others are planning “a community-wide event celebrating what it means to be Canadian.”