Lethbridge businesses still feeling impact of downtown watermain break and fire

As of March 14, multiple businesses and residents in the 500 block of 2 Avenue South remain without utilities.

Ice formed as water pooled on 5th Street South following a water main break in downtown Lethbridge on March 7, 2023. (Photo: S.Jones/LNN)

Director of Emergency Management, Luke Palmer, indicates that the City of Lethbridge is helping displaced residents who live in the impacted area.

Palmer said, “We are also taking care of the evacuees that are displaced from that building at the same time, so what we’ve done is initially, the first 72 hours, we were coordinating an agreement we have with the Canadian Red Cross to get those people some immediate solutions.”

He continued, “Now we’ve connected them to more long-term solutions in the community that are allowing them to stay housed until utilities are restored, and they can actually return to their homes.”

A timeline for when residents and businesses can return is dependent on when utilities are up and running.

The cause and fault of the watermain break is under investigation by insurance providers.

According to Palmer, the investigation into the Lethbridge Hotel blaze with Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services should conclude by end of week, weather depending.

Extensive ice build-up is seen on the exterior of the Lethbridge Hotel following firefighting efforts on February 24, 2023. (Photo: S.Jones | LNN)

The timeline on the demolition is unknown, as officials continue to prioritize community safety while extracting materials.

Palmer explained, “What I can share is that we’re working closely with both Alberta Environment, Occupational Health and Safety to make sure that what they require us to do, to dispose of and treat those contaminated materials, that we’re doing so properly. Part of this is under the direction of the province, under the oversight of them as well, and things are moving well.”

Despite the road closure on 5th Street South, non-impacted businesses remain open.

Halla Wagner, a sales associate at Silla, said they are extremely grateful that they were not affected by the fire or flood, but indicated that the shop has seen a decrease in traffic due to the road closure.

Wagner said, “We have noticed since they started closing off the roads, whether it be the day of the fire when they were extinguishing everything, or even now as they’re doing the demo, we have noticed a significant decrease in traffic on our street, which has drastically affected our sales numbers and just the amount of people coming into our store.”

While parking spots are limited in front of the shop, Wagner encourages people to park along Galt Gardens on 3 Avenue if they are interested in shopping along the street.

by Sarah Jones

Lethbridge businesses still feeling impact of downtown watermain break and fire

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