City council votes in favour of agreement with Lethbridge & District Exhibition

He added, “We have painstakingly weighed all of the risks and benefits of every conceivable scenario and at the end of the day, the approved MOU is the best option for Lethbridge and southern Alberta. We recognize that this is a fantastic facility with great potential, and it is vital that we make the most of this opportunity.”

In December, LDE approached City Counil with a letter of intent requesting operational, governance and financial aid. Council directed LDE and City administration to develop an MOU for consideration at Tuesday’s council meeting.

With the positive vote on the MOU, it sets in motion the asks in the letter of intent, including:

Redemption of shares from current LDE shareholders to the City of Lethbridge
Appointment of an interim governance body made up of City of Lethbridge and Lethbridge County administration
Third-party review of LDE operations

City Manager Lloyd Brierley stated, “While this is not a position we ever wanted to be in, the City is committed to making sure we do everything we can to minimize the impact on our community.”

“The new LDE governance body will ensure the interests of residents are at the centre of all decisions moving forward.”

The City of Lethbridge noted that earlier this month, two full-time City staff members were tasked with providing interim leadership support to LDE at the Agri-food Hub and Trade Centre. With additional financial support from the City, LDE has created a revised 2024 operating budget, with an estimated current shortfall of $6.5 million per year.

The City said council has approved $3.8 million in additional funds required for 2024, considering reserves remaining within LDE and previously allocated funding.

Future decisions will have to be made on the decommissioning of the old pavilions and parking lot refurbishment on the LDE grounds.

Deputy mayor Mark Campbell remarked, “The reality is, we would have to pay this much, or more, if we didn’t sign the MOU and we would be in jeopardy of losing all of the benefits LDE and the Agri-food Hub bring to the quality of life in our community,”

He continued, “From Ag Expo and Whoop Up Days to our weekly Farmers Markets, the events and activities at the Exhibition create a vibrant and connected community.”

He added that LDE helps to create jobs, and the Agri-food Hub and Trade Centre attracts visitors and investors to Lethbridge.

Kim Gallucci is the interim transition leader at LDE and noted plenty of information has been shared and discoveries made over the past few weeks.

Gallucci said, “The staff are working hard to successfully execute the many events happening at the Agri-food Hub, while at the same time, exploring new ideas to find efficiencies and additional revenue opportunities that will improve operations going forward.”

One of the discoveries the City listed is thew understanding that the building is unsuitable to hold livestock, which can limit some agricultural uses that it was anticipated to be able to support. Officials said the interim leadership team will work to explore on-site options to hold these types of activities and events.

Mayor Hyggen added, “Despite the setbacks, the reason this facility was built, still exists today. It is a world class amenity right here in our community.”

Hyggen said, “We’re committed to protecting the investments made by the City, the Alberta government and other funding partners while amplifying the benefits LDE brings to our residents. This is the best community solution moving forward.”

The Agri-food Hub and Trade Centre is set to host the upcoming Ag Expo 2024, which will take place February 27 to 29.

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–With files from the City of Lethbridge

by Justin Goulet

City council votes in favour of agreement with Lethbridge & District Exhibition

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