Medicine Hat Minute: Stampede Optimism, Purchase Approval, and Borrowing Process Begun

Medicine Hat Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Medicine Hat politics

This Week In Medicine Hat:

• The Public Services Committee will meet this afternoon at 3:45 pm. The Committee will hear about Non-Profit Capital Grant Applications before closing to the public to discuss the École les Cyprès Site and Recreation & Wellness Opportunities.
  
  
• The Administrative and Legislative Review Committee will meet on Tuesday at 4:00 pm, and the Corporate Services Committee will meet on Thursday at 4:00 pm. No agenda is available for either meeting yet.
  
  
• The Medicine Hat Stampede is optimistic about receiving funding from the City for its revitalization project, despite Council's decision to delay making a final choice. The Stampede sought funding for infrastructure repairs and new features at its grounds, with a proposed cost of $23 million. Council deferred the decision until the Alberta government confirms its financial contribution, following a sustainability assessment of provincial agricultural societies. The Stampede faces a tight timeline, particularly regarding the deteriorating north grandstand.

Last Week In Medicine Hat:

• The Alberta Utilities Commission has approved the City of Medicine Hat’s purchase of the Saamis Solar Park. The City plans to build the solar project in phases, integrating it into its internal grid to supplement existing gas-fired power generation. Supporters argue the project will lower operating costs, generate carbon credits, and shield the City from rising carbon levies, while opponents question its financial viability. The Medicine Hat Utility Ratepayers Association has launched a letter-writing campaign opposing the project, citing concerns over costs and economic feasibility. City Administrators must now submit a revised construction plan to the AUC before Council makes a final decision on proceeding.
  
  
• Council has initiated the borrowing process for $51.7 million to fund various utility projects in 2025 and 2026. Key projects include twinning a major water line, river-bank erosion control near the sewage treatment plant, and upgrades to water reservoirs. The total cost of the 19 projects is $63.9 million, with remaining funds sourced from grants, reserves, and working capital. Final bylaw approvals for the borrowing are scheduled for March 3rd.
  
  
• A new economic strategy, led by the City of Medicine Hat, was launched. It aims to strengthen the region's economy by focusing on talent attraction, business development, and inter-municipal cooperation. The plan includes 17 action items targeting key industries such as aerospace, agriculture, and regional tourism, with goals like establishing a protein processing plant and positioning Alberta as Canada's defence and aerospace hub. The strategy also includes adapting to potential changes in trade relations, including the possibility of US tariffs.

-----

Donate:

Common Sense Medicine Hat doesn't accept any government funding and never will. We think you should be free to choose, for yourself, which organizations to support. If you're in a position to contribute financially, you can make a donation here.

-----

Share:

If you're not in a position to donate, we understand, but if you appreciate our work, you can help by spreading our message. Please email this post to your friends, share it on Facebook or Twitter, and help make sure every Hatter knows what's really going on at City Hall.