(Lethbridge News Now)

By Justin Goulet

Lethbridge’s Recreation & Culture Fee Assistance Program funding changing January 1

Dec 3, 2021 | 10:16 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The City of Lethbridge’s Recreation and Culture Fee Assistance Program is changing at the start of the New Year.

In the 2015-2018 budget cycle, council approved the program for low-income individuals. It provides people who face financial barriers with options to take part in recreational and cultural activities.

Early on in the pandemic, the city says the program was not seeing the uptake that it previously had. As a result of this, administration advised council that there were opportunities to improve the program temporarily to make it more COVID friendly. Council approved those changes.

Each qualifying individual can receive up to $200 for one activity in the first half of the year (January 1 to June 30) and $200 for one activity in the second half (July 1 to December 31), offered by a local organization providing recreational and cultural programming and/or memberships. The changes are set to expire on December 31, 2021.

Starting January 1, 2022, the amount available will return to the normal, pre-pandemic level of $150 per person in each of the two funding cycles per year.

Nighttime construction on Hwy 3 in Lethbridge starts April 17

Apr 17, 2025

SASHA launches #BuyABed fundraiser to support vulnerable Lethbridge residents

Apr 04, 2025

$20K grants available: TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Edition opens applications April 1

Mar 18, 2025

Community Engagement Specialist with the City, Lori Harasem said, “the amount was temporarily raised because of the lack of applications for funding in the first half of 2020, which allowed for a top up.”

“Many families who were facing unprecedented income loss appreciated this opportunity as we saw jobs being eliminated or employers having to shut down as the pandemic waves peaked. We saw applications from a lot of new families and individuals, many whom had never thought they would ever need to use a program such as this. “

Pandemic funding programs like the Canada Emergency Response Benefit and the Canada Recovery Benefit were considered eligibility factors, but those have since come to an end. Eligibility for the city’s program will once again be based on the household Low Income Cut Offs or being a recipient of a long-term program like Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) or Income Support, amongst other programs.

More details on the program, including full eligibility requirements, are available here.