Festival Square plaza in downtown Lethbridge, June 1, 2022. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By Mario Cabradilla

Grand opening for improved Festival Square set for June 22

Jun 2, 2022 | 6:00 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Construction on Festival Square is set to be completed in Lethbridge before the end of June, said Andrew Malcolm, Lethbridge’s Urban Revitalization Manager, earlier today.

“We do anticipate that everything will be completed in time for the grand opening at the end of the month,” said Malcolm.

The grand opening event, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 22, said Lorien Johansen, Heart of Our City Committee Chair. She said there will also be a barbeque followed by multiple local entertainment acts and performances throughout the next three days.

Johansen said Thursday will be devoted to local markets and artisans, while Friday will be filled with family-centric activities, before smoothly transitioning to Pride in the Park.

There will then be the Casa Heavy Metal Exhibition, opening on Saturday, June 25.

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She also said that she is proud to see that approximately half of the performers for the multi-day event will be of Indigenous descent. “We’re very pleased to be able to incorporate the indigenous people into the downtown.”

Sarah Amies, Community Director of Downtown Lethbridge BRZ, said they aim to have activity in the Festival Square “more often than not.”

However, while Festival Square aims to be a spot for public activity, Amies stressed the historic importance and significance of downtown Lethbridge.

“We have made sure that stays intact, and that the look of Festival Square is nicely complementary to our historic downtown,” said Amies, adding that a lot of the history and culture of what Lethbridge was, is still here today. “So, as I say, I think we have a lovely balance between the historic surroundings and this rather modern meeting space.”

The $1.7 million project was approved as a part of the revised plan for the Municipal Stimulus Program, funded by the Government of Alberta.

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

The new Festival Square Market Plaza will feature an interactive stage, entry signs, decorative column lighting, programmable lighting, and site furniture, as well as water and wastewater servicing and lane rehab.

More information on the project is available here and here.