File photo of the Lethbridge Airport (Lethbridge News Now)

By Justin Goulet

Council approves revisions to Municipal Stimulus Program projects, including airport renovations

Jul 5, 2021 | 9:32 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Lethbridge City Council has given the go-ahead to proceed with a revised plan for Municipal Stimulus Program (MSP) funded projects.

These projects include renovations at the Lethbridge Airport and Festival Square Market Plaza. Back in the fall of 2020, City Administration reviewed over 25 potential projects against the Provincial MSP funding guidelines and submitted three for City Council’s consideration.

City Council subsequently approved the $12.06 million in funding to the City of Lethbridge to be allocated to the Lethbridge Airport Renovation – Airfield Lighting and Pavement Rehabilitation ($11.163 million) and Festival Market Square ($900,000). Those projects were submitted and approved by the provincial government.

On June 15, it was noted that the Festival Market Square project would go over the $900,000 budget. The Government of Alberta notified the City that there was no additional funding available and a firm completion date set at December 31, 2021. However, flexibility is being provided to shift money between approved projects.

City Council was updated on the situation at its June 29 meeting. The two Lethbridge Airport projects are able to be finished as scoped with a $1.9 million surplus and therefore, City Administration recommended to shift unspent funds at the airport to the Festival Square project. This now means that project will proceed – without any City of Lethbridge funding – to ensure that no MSP funding is left unspent.

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From the $1.9 million Lethbridge Airport project surplus, council has approved:

• $810,000 for Festival Square: $485,000 as tendered for water/wastewater servicing, lane rehab, community lighting, entry sign and decorative column lighting, plus $325,000 for additional components such as an interactive stage, a secondary entry sign, programmable lighting and site furniture (tables, chairs, and planters);
• $1,090,000 for extended airport pavement rehabilitation.

Urban Revitalization Manager Andrew Malcolm said, “this approval ensures strategic use of our resources by ensuring all MSP grant funding is used.”

“This shows a balanced approach to the distribution of stimulus funding in two strategic locations supporting different segments of economic recovery. With Festival Square, we believe this is a great opportunity to build off the success of patio and parklet infrastructure investment.”

Malcolm said that project will provide an important boost to the downtown economy, “as well as support bringing people back to public spaces safely as health measures ease.”

“At the same time, we have been able to address some critical upgrades at the Airport. Even with the shift of funding, we will be able to achieve more with the Airport Pavement Rehabilitation than initially planned which will support future airside leasing opportunities.”

As part of these revisions, there are amendments to the 2018-2027 CIP ‘Grant – Municipal Stimulus Program’ allocations and corresponding totals to reflect the following:

• Lethbridge Airport Renovation (2018-27 CIP D-43) – $10,353,000
• Festival Market Square Plaza (2018-27 CIP D-44) – $1,710,000

Construction timelines for both projects will be updated at a later date.