The Lethbridge & District Exhibition has been denied a request by the province for funding. (Photo: LNN)

By Christian Oldale

Request for provincial funding for Lethbridge & District Exhibition rejected

Dec 12, 2023 | 7:36 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Lethbridge & District Exhibition has been denied a request by the province for funding.

In a City Council meeting on November 28, 2023, the organization’s CEO Mike Warkentin brought a presentation to council, asking for assistance with funding for the Agri-Food Hub & Trade Centre.

READ MORE: Lethbridge & District Exhibition seeking emergency funding

Warkentin called the situation “potentially critical”, citing the impact of inflation, interest rates, supply chain issues and other lingering COVID-19 impacts as causes of the budget shortfalls.

Following the presentation, council determined that it would provide $1 million, a $583,000 debt deferral, and one-time funding of $500,000 if the province also agreed to provide $1.04 million in capital funding to support the Agri-Food Hub & Trade Centre.

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However, on December 12, Lethbridge Mayor Blaine Hyggen provided a statement, saying the province declined the City’s request for funding in a letter from Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation R.J. Sigurdson, during the day’s council meeting.

Hyggen’s statement reads as follows:

“Late in the day, we received confirmation from the Government of Alberta that they have declined our request to provide $1.4 million in capital funding to support the Agri-food Hub & Trade Centre.

The City’s financial support for this emergency funding request, was conditional on receiving a commitment from the Province prior to December 11, 2023. Without this commitment, the original resolution Council approved on November 28 has died and Council will be reviewing next steps.

The Agri-food Hub & Trade Centre is a world-class facility that presents tremendous opportunity for our community. Council has been, and continues to be, strong supporters of this project.

It’s important that we protect the significant financial investment the City has made in this project, as well as the investments the Provincial Government and other funders have made in our community as we all look for ways to move forward in a positive way.

Despite this development, City Council and administration continue to explore ways to collaborate with the Exhibition and the province to ensure the continuity and sustainability of the Agri-food Hub & Trade Centre.”

Warkentin said the lack of resolution puts Lethbridge & District Exhibition into a “dire” financial situation heading into 2024, and board members will meet to discuss the issue this week.

READ MORE: Lethbridge & District Exhibition seeking emergency funding

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