By Dori Modney (@Dori_Modney on Twitter)

Provincial Budget – what’s it in for Lethbridge?

Mar 16, 2017 | 8:43 PM

LETHBRIDGE –  Alberta is hoping that bad times will take a turn for the better, as its latest budget is dripping red ink. The document promises a new hospital, new schools and renewed front-line spending.

Finance Minister Joe Ceci is forecasting a $10.3-billion deficit in 2017-18 on total spending of $45 billion.

As part of the Alberta budget, the City of Lethbridge will receive over $21 million under the Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI), and there is $2 million for the design of a new school in south Lethbridge.

Also in the budget, is $3.5 million over four years for the London Road Gateway Regeneration to build affordable housing units. The project is already designed and shovel-ready.  Mayor Chris Spearman is very happy with the funding and hopes to see ground broken on the project later this year.

“We are delighted that the present Alberta government is providing long-awaited funding for this project, which is a critical piece in helping us address homelessness and the need for affordable housing in our community.”

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 Under the present design, the London Road Gateway Project, situated along 13th street an 6th Avenue south, means it will be close to shopping, hospitals schools and transit.  It includes a total of 14 affordable housing units:

— 3 barrier-free studio units
— 8 two-bedroom semi-detached units
— 3 two-bedroom detached houses
— Units will have a common courtyard

Tenants must qualify for units, at or under government core needs income thresholds.

The provincial budget includes $7 million to facilitate the Cavendish Farms expansion.

On top of tuition being frozen for post-secondary students for the third year in a row, the local institutes of higher learning will see other benefits.  The $10.4 million allocated in the budget for the Trades and Technology Renewal and Innovations project, is expected to add about 880 new students.