Lethbridge | |
|---|---|
City | |
 Downtown Lethbridge on 4th Avenue South | |
 Logo | |
| Nicknames: | |
| Motto: Ad occasionis januam"Gateway to Opportunity"[1] | |
 City boundaries | |
  Lethbridge Location in Alberta Show map of Alberta Lethbridge Location in Canada Show map of Canada Lethbridge Location in Lethbridge County Show map of Lethbridge County | |
| Coordinates:49°41′37″N112°50′31″W / 49.69361°N 112.84194°W /49.69361; -112.84194[2] | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Alberta |
| Planning region | South Saskatchewan |
| Municipal district | Lethbridge County |
| Settled[3] | 1874 |
| Incorporated[4] | |
| • Town | November 29, 1890 |
| • City | May 9, 1906 |
| Named after | William Lethbridge |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Blaine Hyggen (Past mayors) |
| • Governing body |
|
| • MP | Rachael Thomas (CPC) |
| • MLAs | Nathan Neudorf (UCP) Rob Miyashiro (NDP) |
| • City Manager | Lloyd Brierley |
| Area (2021)[5] | |
| • Land | 121.12 km2 (46.76 sq mi) |
| • Urban | 64.00 km2 (24.71 sq mi) |
| • Metro | 2,958.96 km2 (1,142.46 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 910 m (2,990 ft) |
| Population | |
• City | 98,406 |
| • Density | 812.5/km2 (2,104/sq mi) |
| • Urban | 92,563 |
| • Metro | 123,847 |
| • Metro density | 41.9/km2 (109/sq mi) |
| • Municipal census (2023) | 106,550[7] |
| 1446.2 | |
| Demonym | Lethbridgian or Lethbian[10] |
| Time zone | UTC−07:00 (MST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−06:00 (MDT) |
| Forward sortation areas | |
| Area codes | 403587, 825, 368 |
| Highways |  Highway 3 Highway 4 Highway 5 Highway 25 |
| Waterways | Oldman River |
| GDP (LethbridgeCMA) | CA$6.1 billion (2016)[11] |
| GDP per capita (LethbridgeCMA) | CA$52,243 (2016) |
| Website | www |
Lethbridge (/ˈlɛθbrɪdʒ/LETH-brij) is a city in the province ofAlberta, Canada. With a population of 106,550 in the2023 municipal census,[7] Lethbridge became the fourth Alberta city to surpass 100,000 people. The nearbyCanadian Rocky Mountains contribute to the city's warm summers, mild winters, andwindy climate. Lethbridge lies approximately 215 km (134 mi) southeast ofCalgary on theOldman River and 105 km (65 mi) northwest of theCanada–United States border at theSweetgrass–Coutts Border Crossing.
Lethbridge is the commercial, educational, financial, industrial and transportation centre ofsouthern Alberta. The city's economy developed fromdrift mining for coal in the late 19th century andagriculture in the early 20th century. Half of the workforce is employed in the health, education, retail and hospitality sectors, and the top five employers are government-based. Post-secondary institutes in the city include theUniversity of Lethbridge, the only university in Alberta south of Calgary, as well asLethbridge Polytechnic andRed Crow College. Cultural venues in the city include performing art theatres, galleries, museums, gardens, and sports centres.
Before the 19th century, the Lethbridge area was populated by severalFirst Nations at various times. TheBlackfoot referred to the area asAksaysim ("steep banks"),Mek-kio-towaghs ("painted rock"),Assini-etomochi ("where we slaughtered the Cree") andSik-ooh-kotok ("coal"). TheTsuutʼina (Sarcee) referred to it asChadish-kashi ("black/rocks"), theCree asKuskusukisay-guni ("black/rocks"), and theNakoda (Stoney) asIpubin-saba-akabin ("digging coal").[12] TheKutenai referred to it asʔa•kwum.[13]
After theUnited States Army stopped alcohol trading with theBlackfeet Nation inMontana in 1869, tradersJohn J. Healy and Alfred B. Hamilton started a whisky trading post at Fort Hamilton, near the future site of Lethbridge. The post's nickname becameFort Whoop-Up.[12] The whisky trade led to theCypress Hills Massacre of many nativeAssiniboine in 1873. TheNorth-West Mounted Police, sent to stop the trade and establish order,[12] arrived at Fort Whoop-Up on October 9, 1874. They managed the post for the next 12 years.[12]
Lethbridge's economy developed fromdrift mines opened byNicholas Sheran in 1874 and theNorth Western Coal and Navigation Company in 1882. North Western's president wasWilliam Lethbridge, from whom the city derives its name.[14][15] By the turn of the century, the mines employed about 150 men and produced 300 tonnes (330 short tons) of coal each day.[12] In 1896, local collieries were the largest coal producers in theNorthwest Territories,[16] with production peaking duringWorld War I. Aninternment camp was set up at the Exhibition Building in Lethbridge from September 1914 to November 1916.[17] After the war, increasing oil and natural gas production gradually replaced coal production,[12] and the last mine in Lethbridge closed in 1957.
The first rail line in Lethbridge was opened on August 28, 1885, by the Alberta Railway and Coal Company,[12] which bought theNorth Western Coal and Navigation Company five years later.[18] The rail industry's dependence on coal and theCanadian Pacific Railway's (CPR) efforts to settle southern Alberta with immigrants boosted Lethbridge's economy. After the CPR moved thedivisional point of its Crowsnest Line fromFort Macleod to Lethbridge in 1905 and a newLethbridge Canadian Pacific Railway Station (Union Station) was built in 1906, the city became the regional centre forSouthern Alberta.[12] In the mid-1980s, the CPR moved itsrail yards indowntown Lethbridge to nearbyKipp, and Lethbridge ceased to be arail hub.[19]
Between 1907 and 1913, a development boom occurred in Lethbridge, making it the main marketing, distribution and service centre in southern Alberta.[12] Such municipal projects as a water treatment plant, a power plant, aLethbridge Transit, astreetcar system, andExhibition Park—as well as a construction boom and rising real estate prices—transformed the mining town into a significant city.[12] BetweenWorld War I andWorld War II, however, the city experienced an economic slump. Development slowed, drought drove farmers from their farms, and coal mining rapidly declined from its peak.[12] After World War II, irrigation of farmland near Lethbridge led to growth in the city's population and economy. Lethbridge became a centre forpost-secondary education in Southern Alberta with the opening ofLethbridge Polytechnic (formerly Lethbridge College) in April 1957 and theUniversity of Lethbridge in 1967.[12]
The city of Lethbridge is located at 49.7° northlatitude and 112.833° westlongitude and covers an area of 127.19 km2 (49.11 sq mi). It is divided by theOldman River; its valley, theOldman River valley parks system, has been turned into one of the largest urban park systems in North America at 16 km2 (4,000 acres) of protected land.[20] Lethbridge is Alberta's third-largest city by population and area afterCalgary andEdmonton. It is located near theCanadian Rockies, 210 km (130 mi) southeast of Calgary.
Lethbridge is split into three geographical areas: north, south and west. The Oldman River separates West Lethbridge from the other two, whileCrowsnest Trail and theCanadian Pacific Kansas City rail line separate North and South Lethbridge.[21] The newest and largest of the three areas,West Lethbridge (pop. 40,898)[22] is home to theUniversity of Lethbridge—which opened at that site in 1971. Although several farms existed on what is now the Westside, the first housing development was not completed until 1974 andWhoop-Up Drive access opened only in 1975.[23] Much of the city's recent growth has been on the west side, and it has the youngest median age of the three. The north side (pop. 28,172)[22] was originally populated by workers from local coal mines. It has the oldest population of the three areas, is home to multiple industrial parks and includes the former Hamlet ofHardieville, which was annexed by Lethbridge in 1978.[24][25] South Lethbridge (pop. 32,412)[22] is the commercial heart of the city; it contains the downtown core,Downtown Lethbridge, the bulk of retail and hospitality establishments, and theLethbridge Polytechnic.
Lethbridge has asemi-arid climate (Köppen climate classificationBSk) with an average maximum temperature of 12.8 °C (55.0 °F) and an average minimum temperature of −1.1 °C (30.0 °F). Withprecipitation averaging 380.2 mm (14.97 in), and 264 dry days on average, Lethbridge is the eleventh driest city in Canada.[26][27] Mean relative humidity in the morning hovers between 69 and 78% throughout the year, but afternoon mean relative humidity is more uneven, ranging from 38% in August to 58% in January.[28] On average, Lethbridge has 116 days with wind speed of 40 km/h (25 mph) or higher, ranking it as the second city in Canada for such weather.[26]
Its highelevation of 929 m (3,048 ft) and close proximity to theRocky Mountains provides Lethbridge with cooler summers than other locations in theCanadian Prairies.[29] These factors protect the city from strong northwest and southwest winds and contribute to frequentChinook winds during the winter. Lethbridge winters have the highest temperatures in the prairies, reducing the severity and duration of winter cold periods and resulting in fewer days withsnow cover.[30] The average daytime temperature peaks by the end of July/beginning of August, when it reaches 26.4 °C (79.5 °F).[31] The city's temperature reaches a maximum high of 35.0 °C (95.0 °F) or greater on average once or twice a year.[28]
The highest temperature ever recorded in Lethbridge was 40.5 °C (104.9 °F) on August 10, 2018.[32] The lowest temperature ever recorded was −42.8 °C (−45.0 °F) on January 7, 1909; December 18, 1924;[33] January 3, 1950; and December 29, 1968.[28]
| Climate data forLethbridge Airport, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1886–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record highhumidex | 20.0 | 21.8 | 26.3 | 30.2 | 35.4 | 37.7 | 41.7 | 40.1 | 36.1 | 30.1 | 23.0 | 17.8 | 41.7 |
| Record high °C (°F) | 20.0 (68.0) | 21.8 (71.2) | 26.8 (80.2) | 33.9 (93.0) | 34.2 (93.6) | 38.3 (100.9) | 40.0 (104.0) | 40.5 (104.9) | 36.7 (98.1) | 31.7 (89.1) | 23.3 (73.9) | 19.4 (66.9) | 40.5 (104.9) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 0.1 (32.2) | 1.7 (35.1) | 6.4 (43.5) | 12.6 (54.7) | 18.2 (64.8) | 21.8 (71.2) | 26.3 (79.3) | 26.3 (79.3) | 21.0 (69.8) | 13.3 (55.9) | 5.5 (41.9) | 0.7 (33.3) | 12.8 (55.1) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −6.0 (21.2) | −4.6 (23.7) | −0.2 (31.6) | 5.7 (42.3) | 11.1 (52.0) | 15.1 (59.2) | 18.4 (65.1) | 17.9 (64.2) | 13.2 (55.8) | 6.4 (43.5) | −0.5 (31.1) | −5.3 (22.5) | 5.9 (42.7) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −12.1 (10.2) | −11.0 (12.2) | −6.8 (19.8) | −1.3 (29.7) | 3.9 (39.0) | 8.3 (46.9) | 10.5 (50.9) | 9.4 (48.9) | 5.3 (41.5) | −0.6 (30.9) | −6.6 (20.1) | −11.2 (11.8) | −1.0 (30.2) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −42.8 (−45.0) | −42.2 (−44.0) | −38 (−36) | −27.2 (−17.0) | −12.8 (9.0) | −3.3 (26.1) | 0.0 (32.0) | −1.7 (28.9) | −15.6 (3.9) | −26.7 (−16.1) | −35.6 (−32.1) | −42.8 (−45.0) | −42.8 (−45.0) |
| Record lowwind chill | −54.5 | −51.3 | −49.7 | −32.6 | −16.3 | −6.9 | 0.0 | −2.6 | −13.9 | −36 | −47.1 | −55.7 | −55.7 |
| Averageprecipitation mm (inches) | 11.0 (0.43) | 10.3 (0.41) | 16.6 (0.65) | 28.4 (1.12) | 57.2 (2.25) | 92.9 (3.66) | 39.9 (1.57) | 32.5 (1.28) | 32.1 (1.26) | 24.2 (0.95) | 15.9 (0.63) | 11.5 (0.45) | 372.5 (14.66) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 0.2 (0.01) | 0.4 (0.02) | 2.0 (0.08) | 19.2 (0.76) | 45.4 (1.79) | 96.6 (3.80) | 37.7 (1.48) | 32.7 (1.29) | 34.7 (1.37) | 12.6 (0.50) | 2.3 (0.09) | 0.5 (0.02) | 284.3 (11.21) |
| Average snowfall cm (inches) | 13.3 (5.2) | 15.1 (5.9) | 18.0 (7.1) | 13.1 (5.2) | 5.1 (2.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 1.3 (0.5) | 1.3 (0.5) | 9.5 (3.7) | 16.4 (6.5) | 14.8 (5.8) | 107.9 (42.4) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.2 mm) | 8.4 | 6.8 | 9.2 | 10.4 | 12.8 | 13.5 | 10.5 | 8.5 | 9.4 | 7.6 | 8.5 | 7.9 | 113.5 |
| Average rainy days | 0.29 | 0.17 | 1.3 | 6.9 | 11.0 | 12.9 | 9.2 | 7.7 | 9.1 | 5.3 | 2.1 | 0.59 | 66.55 |
| Average snowy days(≥ 0.2 cm) | 8.0 | 7.2 | 7.6 | 4.1 | 1.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.18 | 0.38 | 2.7 | 6.6 | 6.7 | 44.86 |
| Averagerelative humidity (%)(at 15:00 LST) | 59.9 | 53.9 | 49.7 | 40.4 | 40.5 | 44.5 | 39.2 | 36.6 | 39.9 | 44.4 | 56.9 | 57.3 | 46.9 |
| Mean monthlysunshine hours | 110.2 | 147.0 | 186.1 | 233.4 | 277.0 | 290.3 | 322.1 | 297.5 | 228.5 | 189.7 | 119.1 | 106.5 | 2,507.3 |
| Percentagepossible sunshine | 41.1 | 51.5 | 50.6 | 56.7 | 58.2 | 59.7 | 65.6 | 66.5 | 60.2 | 56.6 | 43.5 | 41.8 | 54.3 |
| Source:Environment and Climate Change Canada[28][34][35][33][36][37][38] | |||||||||||||
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1901 | 2,072 | — |
| 1906 | 2,313 | +11.6% |
| 1911 | 8,050 | +248.0% |
| 1916 | 9,436 | +17.2% |
| 1921 | 11,097 | +17.6% |
| 1926 | 10,735 | −3.3% |
| 1931 | 13,489 | +25.7% |
| 1936 | 13,523 | +0.3% |
| 1941 | 14,612 | +8.1% |
| 1946 | 16,522 | +13.1% |
| 1951 | 22,947 | +38.9% |
| 1956 | 29,462 | +28.4% |
| 1961 | 35,454 | +20.3% |
| 1966 | 37,186 | +4.9% |
| 1971 | 41,217 | +10.8% |
| 1976 | 46,752 | +13.4% |
| 1981 | 54,072 | +15.7% |
| 1986 | 58,841 | +8.8% |
| 1991 | 60,974 | +3.6% |
| 1996 | 63,053 | +3.4% |
| 2001 | 67,374 | +6.9% |
| 2006 | 74,637 | +10.8% |
| 2011 | 83,517 | +11.9% |
| 2016 | 92,729 | +11.0% |
| 2021 | 98,406 | +6.1% |
| Source:Statistics Canada [39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49] [50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59][60][61] | ||
In the2021 Canadian census conducted byStatistics Canada, the City of Lethbridge had a population of 98,406 living in 40,225 of its 42,862 total private dwellings, a change of6.1% from its 2016 population of 92,729. With a land area of 121.12 km2 (46.76 sq mi), it had a population density of812.5/km2 (2,104.3/sq mi) in 2021.[5]
At thecensus metropolitan area (CMA) level in the 2021 census, the Lethbridge CMA had a population of 123,847 living in 48,647 of its 51,735 total private dwellings, a change of5.5% from its 2016 population of 117,394. With a land area of 2,958.96 km2 (1,142.46 sq mi), it had a population density of41.9/km2 (108.4/sq mi) in 2021.[9]
The population of the City of Lethbridge according to its2019 municipal census was 101,482,[22] a change of1.7% from its2018 municipal census population of 99,769.[62] With the 2019 municipal census results, the City of Lethbridge became thefourth city in Alberta to surpass 100,000 people.
In its2023 municipal census, the City of Lethbridge's population was found to have grown to 106,550, an increase of 4.99% from its2019 municipal census population of 101,482.[7]
In the2016 Canadian census conducted by Statistics Canada, the City of Lethbridge had a population of 92,729 living in 37,575 of its 39,867 total private dwellings, a change of11% from its 2011 population of 83,517. With a land area of 122.09 km2 (47.14 sq mi), it had a population density of759.5/km2 (1,967.1/sq mi) in 2016.[61] The same census reported that the metropolitan area of Lethbridge was 117,394 in 2016, up from 105,999 in 2011.[63] Subsequent data from Statistics Canada showed that the 2020 metropolitan population was 128,851, an increase of 1.5% over the previous year.[64]
In 2021,[65] 49.8% of residents wereChristians, down from 64.6% in 2011.[66] 16.1% of the population wereCatholic, 12.9% wereProtestant, and 11.3% were Christians of unspecified denomination. All other Christian denominations and Christian-related traditions made up 9.6%, including a large population ofThe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints adherents (5.8%). 44.3% of the population was nonreligious or secular, up from 32.4% in 2011. 8.1% followed a religion (or spiritual belief) other than Christianity. The largest non-Christian religions wereIslam (1.9%),Hinduism (1.3%), andBuddhism (1.1%).
According to the 2021 census, 83.9% of residents spoke English as afirst language. Other common mother tongues were Spanish (1.6%),Tagalog (1.4%),Nepali (1.0%), German (0.9%), French (0.8%),Chinese Languages (0.7%),Arabic (0.7%) andDutch (0.6%). 1.7% of residents claimed both English and a non-official language as their first language.
Lethbridge had 12.9% visible minorities and 7.1% Aboriginal in 2016. Below is a full break down of the demographics. The city is also the home of the largestBhutanese community in Canada.[67]
| Panethnic group | 2021[68] | 2016[69] | 2011[70] | 2006[71] | 2001[72] | 1996[73] | 1991[74][75] | 1986[76][77][78]: 86 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | ||||
| European[a] | 74,245 | 77.12% | 73,505 | 81.24% | 70,630 | 86.78% | 65,000 | 88.42% | 60,150 | 90.77% | 55,520 | 89.27% | 52,760 | 87.65% | 52,945 | 91.18% | |||
| Indigenous | 6,395 | 6.64% | 5,290 | 5.85% | 3,770 | 4.63% | 3,455 | 4.7% | 2,290 | 3.46% | 1,810 | 2.91% | 2,980 | 4.95% | 1,710 | 2.94% | |||
| Southeast Asian[b] | 3,105 | 3.23% | 2,390 | 2.64% | 1,125 | 1.38% | 655 | 0.89% | 395 | 0.6% | 555 | 0.89% | 515 | 0.86% | 230 | 0.34% | |||
| African | 3,105 | 3.23% | 1,895 | 2.09% | 805 | 0.99% | 410 | 0.56% | 205 | 0.31% | 230 | 0.37% | 115 | 0.19% | 55 | 0.09% | |||
| East Asian[c] | 3,065 | 3.18% | 2,770 | 3.06% | 2,885 | 3.54% | 2,360 | 3.21% | 2,495 | 3.76% | 2,990 | 4.81% | 3,085 | 5.13% | 2,675 | 4.61% | |||
| South Asian | 2,990 | 3.11% | 2,055 | 2.27% | 920 | 1.13% | 575 | 0.78% | 265 | 0.4% | 235 | 0.38% | 290 | 0.48% | 70 | 0.11% | |||
| Latin American | 1,955 | 2.03% | 1,510 | 1.67% | 680 | 0.84% | 705 | 0.96% | 365 | 0.55% | 705 | 1.13% | 365 | 0.61% | 275 | 0.47% | |||
| Middle Eastern[d] | 740 | 0.77% | 720 | 0.8% | 235 | 0.29% | 230 | 0.31% | 40 | 0.06% | 55 | 0.09% | 85 | 0.14% | 105 | 0.18% | |||
| Other /Multiracial[e] | 665 | 0.69% | 350 | 0.39% | 335 | 0.41% | 130 | 0.18% | 65 | 0.1% | 85 | 0.14% | — | — | — | — | |||
| Total responses | 96,275 | 97.83% | 90,480 | 97.57% | 81,390 | 97.45% | 73,515 | 98.5% | 66,270 | 98.36% | 62,190 | 98.63% | 60,195 | 98.72% | 58,065 | 98.68% | |||
| Total population | 98,406 | 100% | 92,729 | 100% | 83,517 | 100% | 74,637 | 100% | 67,374 | 100% | 63,053 | 100% | 60,974 | 100% | 58,841 | 100% | |||
| Note: Totals greater than 100% due to multiple origin responses | |||||||||||||||||||
Lethbridge issouthern Alberta's commercial, distribution, financial and industrial centre (althoughMedicine Hat plays a similar role in southeastern Alberta). It has a trading area population of 341,180, including parts ofBritish Columbia,[29] and provides jobs for up to 86,000 people who commute to and within the city from a radius of 100 km (62 mi).[29]
Lethbridge's economy has traditionally been agriculture-based; however, it has diversified in recent years. Half of the workforce is employed in the health, education, retail and hospitality sectors,[79] and the top five employers are government-based.[80] Several national companies are based in Lethbridge. From its founding in 1935,Canadian Freightways based its head office there until moving operations to Calgary in 1948, though its call centre remains in Lethbridge.[81]Taco Time Canada was based in the city from 1978 to 1995 before moving to Calgary.[82] Minute Muffler, which began in 1969, is based in Lethbridge.[83] Internationalshipping company H & R Transport has been based in the city since 1955.[84] Braman Furniture, which has locations inManitoba andOntario, was headquartered in Lethbridge from 1991 to 2008.[85]
Lethbridge serves as a hub for commercial activity in the region by providing services and amenities. There are manytransport services in Lethbridge, includingRed Arrow buses,four provincial highways,rail service andLethbridge Airport, are concentrated in or near the city. In 2004, the police services of Lethbridge andCoaldale combined to form theLethbridge Police Service.[86] Lethbridge provides municipal water to Coaldale,Coalhurst,Diamond City,Iron Springs,Monarch,Shaughnessy andTurin.[87][88]
In 2002, the municipal government organized Economic Development Lethbridge, a body responsible for promoting and developing the city's commercial interests.[89] Two years later, the city joined in a partnership with 24 other local communities to create an economic development alliance called SouthGrow, representing a population of over 140,000.[90] In 2006, Economic Development Lethbridge partnered with SouthGrow Regional Initiative and Alberta SouthWest Regional Alliance to create the Southern Alberta Alternative Energy Partnership. This partnership promotes business related to alternative energy, includingwind power,solar power andbiofuel, in the region.[91]
Lethbridge was designated a Cultural Capital of Canada for the 2004–2005 season.[92] The Southern Alberta Ethnic Association (Multicultural Heritage Centre) promotes multiculturalism and ethnic heritage in the community.[93]
The city is home to venues and organizations promoting the arts. Founded in 1958, the Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge is the largest organization in the city dedicated to preserving and enhancing the local arts.[94] In the spring of 2007, the Allied Arts Council Facilities Steering Committee initiated the Arts Re:Building Together Campaign, a grass roots campaign initiative to raise awareness and support for improving arts facilities in Lethbridge. The campaign identified three arts buildings: the Yates Memorial Centre, the Bowman Arts Centre, and the Southern Alberta Art Gallery as cornerstone facilities in the community requiring care and attention. On July 14, 2007, the Finance Committee of City Council approved four arts capital projects for inclusion in the city's Ten Year Capital Plan.[95] Under the campaign to 2010, the renovation and expansion of the Southern Alberta Art Gallery was completed,[96] a new Community Arts Centre will be built in downtown Lethbridge,[97] the City of Lethbridge has a Public Art Program,[98] and a committee was formed to research the possibility of a new Performing Arts Centre in Lethbridge.[99]
Lethbridge has apublic library and three major museum/galleries. TheSouthern Alberta Art Gallery is a contemporary gallery; the community arts centre Casa, administered by the Allied Arts Council; and the University of Lethbridge Art Gallery produces contemporary exhibitions including works from its extensive collection of Canadian, American and European art.[93]
The city is also home to the Lethbridge Symphony, which was founded in 1960 and incorporated as a non-profit in 1961. It has produced several spin-off music groups, including the Southern Alberta Chamber Orchestra, and the still-active Lethbridge Musical Theatre,[100] which produces an annual show. Vox Musica, which traces its roots back to 1968, is a community choir previously based at theUniversity of Lethbridge. As a fully independent non-profit society, Vox Musica continues to rehearse and perform at Southminster United Church and around the community. Theatrical productions are presented by the University of Lethbridge's drama department and New West Theatre, which performs at theGenevieve E. Yates Memorial Centre using its two theatres: the 500-seatproscenium Yates Theatre and the 180-seatblack box Sterndale Bennett Theatre.[101]
Lethbridge hostsa number of annual festivals and events throughout the year including Kiwanis Music Festival, Lethbridge Independent Film Festival, Centric Music Festival, Lethbridge Pride Fest, Street Machine Weekend,Lethbridge Dragon Boat Festival, Word on the Street, Lethbridge Electronic Music Festival, and many more. The best-known event in Lethbridge isWhoop-Up Days, arodeo and fair held annually in August.
 | This articlemay need to be cleaned up. It has been merged fromCoat of arms of Lethbridge. |
The Coat of arms of Lethbridge is an official symbol of the city. It was designed by Reverend John Stanley Chivers and adopted on September 16, 1907.[102]
Theshield is aroundel with threedivisions, blue (azure), red (gules) and brown (ochre), withcharges depicting a locomotive (for transportation), a sheaf of wheat (for agriculture) and a hand with pickaxe (for coal mining) as the foundation of the early economy of the city. A circular scroll readsCity of Lethbridge • 1890 • 1906, the town and cityincorporation years respectively.
Thecompartment consists of a panoramicsouthern Alberta scene portraying strip farming and a mine tipple against a background of mountains and foothills. It rests on the citymotto:Ad occasionis januam (Latin for "Gateway to Opportunity").[102] Amural crown in thecrest symbolises thecity status and Canada's historical allegiance to the British crown.
The city, which began as a frontier town, has several historical attractions. TheLethbridge Viaduct, commonly known as theHigh Level Bridge, is the longest and highest steel trestle bridge in North America.[103] It was completed in 1909 on what was then the city's western edge.[104]Indian Battle Park, in thecoulees of theOldman River, commemorates the last battle between theCree and theBlackfootFirst Nations in 1870.[105]
Originally known as Fort Hamilton,Fort Whoop-Up was a centre of illegal activities during the late 19th century. It was first built in 1869 by J.J. Healy and A.B. Hamilton as a whisky post and was destroyed by fire a year later. A second, sturdier structure later replaced the fort.[106]
As the cultural centre of southern Alberta, Lethbridge has notable cultural attractions.Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden in south Lethbridge was opened in 1967 as part of a Canadian centennial celebration attended by Japan'sPrince andPrincess Takamatsu.[107] TheGalt Museum & Archives is the largest museum in the Lethbridge area; the building housing the museum served as the city's main hospital during the late 19th century and early 20th centuries. Several other important attractions are based in Lethbridge, including the Lethbridge Military Museum[108] and the Helen Schuler Nature Centre which educates about the river bottom and coulees.[109][110]
Several structures such as the historic post office are prominent on the skyline of Lethbridge. Less well-known than the High Level Bridge, the post office is one of the most distinctive buildings in Lethbridge. Built in 1912, the four-storey structure is crowned by a functioning clock tower.[111] Other prominent buildings include office towers; the water tower, which was originally built in 1958 and sold to a private developer who converted it into a restaurant;[112] and the Alberta Terminals grain elevators.
From March 2018 to August 2020, Lethbridge was home toARCHES, 24-hoursupervised drug use site. It was the busiest SCS in North America with 663 visits a day.The Star called it a "new landmark". The SCS featured injection drug and inhalation drug facilities[113] and it was a subject of disagreement by the nearby business community.[114][115] The site closed at the end of August 2020 after the province removed grant funding following discovery of misappropriation of public funds.[116] A week long survey was held for the 2020 budgeting priorities in Lethbridge. 401 randomly selected people participated in this survey and 43 percent of them identified the presence of ARCHES SCS as the top concern. Only 8% of participants identified the same issue as the top concern in 2018.[117]
Lethbridge has designated 16 percent of the land within city boundaries as parkland, including the 755 hectares (1,870 acres)Oldman River valley parks system.[118] It has facilities for field sports, numerous baseball diamonds, the Spitz Stadium,[119] theNicholas Sheran Park (a disc golf course), twoskateparks, aBMX track, aclimbing wall, a dozen tennis courts, and seven pools. It is home to five golf courses, including the award-winning Paradise Canyon Golf Resort, and is within 30 km (19 mi) of several others.[93]
Built for the1975 Canada Winter Games, theVisitLethbridge.com Arena, formerly the |ENMAX Centre, is Lethbridge's multipurpose arena. The 6,500-seat facility has hosted concerts, three-ring circuses, multicultural events, nationalcurling championships, basketball events, banquets, skating events and is home to theLethbridge Hurricanes, a majorWestern Hockey League franchise. The arena has a running track, racquetball and squash courts, and a full-size ice rink.[120] In 1997, the 5,400 m2 (58,000 sq ft) Servus Sports Centre (originally the Lethbridge Soccer Centre) was built directly south of the ENMAX Centre and added two regulation size indoor soccer pitches to the complex.[121] The Lethbridge Kyodokan Judo Club facility is located next to the Community Savings Place, and has been a Judo Canada Regional Training Centre since 2015.[122]
On the city's west side, Phase 1 of theCavendish Farms Centre, formerly the ATB Centre, a recreation complex, opened in 2016 and houses two hockey rinks and the Lethbridge Curling Club.[123] Phase 2 of this project TheCor Van Ray YMCA opened in May 2019[124] and includes a field house with basketball courts and a 300m running track, as well as an aquatics centre with slides and a wave pool.
Several winter sports venues are in or near Lethbridge. The city has six indoor ice arenas with a total ice area of 11,220 m2 (120,800 sq ft) and a total seating capacity of 8,149. Other than the ENMAX Centre, all ice surfaces are available from October to April only. Lethbridge is 150 km (93 mi) east of theCastle Mountain ski resort.[93]
Lethbridge hosted the inaugural championship match for theWestern Women's Canadian Football League in 2011, while the city's WWCFL team, theLethbridge Steel, played in three straight title matches from 2012 to 2014.[125]
| Team | Sport | League |
|---|---|---|
| Lethbridge Bulls | Baseball | Western Canadian Baseball League |
| Lethbridge Eagles | Hockey | Alberta Junior Female Hockey League |
| Lethbridge Hurricanes | Hockey | Western Hockey League |
| Lethbridge Steel | Canadian Football | Western Women's Canadian Football League |
| Year | Liberal | Conservative | New Democratic | Green | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 17% | 8,040 | 52% | 24,537 | 22% | 10,085 | 0% | 0 | |
| 2019 | 16% | 7,705 | 62% | 30,935 | 17% | 8,261 | 3% | 1,677 | |
| Year | United Cons. | New Democratic | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 46% | 20,523 | 50% | 22,444 | |
| 2019 | 48% | 22,673 | 42% | 19,791 | |
| 2015 | 23% | 8,681 | 53% | 20,062 | |
Eight councillors and amayor make up theLethbridge City Council. City voters elect a new government every four years. The last election wasOctober 18, 2021, Lethbridge municipal election. Lethbridge does not have award system, so the mayor and all councillors are elected at large.[128] The 2009–2011 operating budget of the City of Lethbridge wasCA$250–278 million, more than half of which came fromproperty tax.[129] One member of parliament (MP) representingfederal electoral district of Lethbridge sits in theHouse of Commons inOttawa, and two members ofAlberta's legislative assembly (MLAs), representingLethbridge-East (UCP) andLethbridge-West (NDP), sit in theAlberta Legislature Building inEdmonton.
Traditionally, political leanings in Lethbridge have beenright-wing. Federally, from 1917 to 1930, Lethbridge voters switched between various federal parties,[130] but from 1935 to 1957, they votedSocial Credit in each election.[130]Progressive Conservatives held office from1958 until1993, when theReform Party of Canada was formed.[130][131][132] The Reform party and its various subsequent incarnations such as the currentConservative Party of Canada have dominated the polls since.[132] The city's two provincial electoral districts are represented by one government MLA,Nathan Neudorf forLethbridge-East,[133] and one opposition MLA,Rob Miyashiro forLethbridge-West (following a by-election to replace Shannon Phillips).[134]
Alberta Health Services, the provincial health authority that plans and delivers health services on behalf of theMinistry of Health, administers public health services in Lethbridge. Chinook Health oversees facilities in southwestern Alberta, such as theChinook Regional Hospital andSt. Michael's Health Centre.
Mass transit in Lethbridge consists of 40 buses (with an average age of 10 years) operating on more than a dozen routes.[135] Traditionally, bus routes in the city started and ended downtown. In the early 21st century, however,Lethbridge Transit introduced cross-town and shuttle routes, such asUniversity of Lethbridge toLethbridge Polytechnic, University of Lethbridge to the North Lethbridge terminal, and Lethbridge Polytechnic to the North Lethbridge terminal. Several routes converge near theChinook Regional Hospital, although it is not officially a terminal.
The Parks and Recreation department maintains the citywide, 30 km (19 mi) pedestrian / cyclistCoal Banks Trail system. The system was designed to connect theOldman River valley with other areas of the city, including Pavan Park in the north, Henderson Lake in the east,Highways 4 and5 in the south and a loop in West Lethbridge (including University Drive and McMaster Blvd).[136]
Four provincial highways (3,4,5, and25) run through or terminate in Lethbridge.[137] This has led to the creation of major arterial roads, includingMayor Magrath Drive, University Drive and Scenic Drive.[138] This infrastructure and its location on theCANAMEX Corridor has helped make Lethbridge and its freight depots a major shipping destination.[30] Lethbridge is 100 km (62 mi) north of the United States border via Highways 4 and 5 and 210 km (130 mi) south ofCalgary viaHighways 2 and 3. Highways 2, 3 and 4 form part of theCANAMEX Corridor, a trade route between Mexico, the United States, and Canada.[30]
Lethbridge has a commercial airport,Lethbridge Airport, and theCanadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) rail yards inKipp, Alberta (12 km [7.5 mi] away). The airport provides commercial flights to Calgary, industrial and corporate opportunities, as well as private and charter flights elsewhere. The airport provides customs services for flights arriving from the United States.Lethbridge Canadian Pacific Railway Station was served by passenger rail on the CPR line between 1906 and 1971. The rail yards were eventually moved to Kipp, just west of the city, from downtown Lethbridge in 1983.[139][140] The yards were planned for redevelopment with a mix of multi-family residential, commercial and light industrial land uses.[141] ThePark Place Mall is now located on the portion of the former rail yards north of 1 Avenue South between Scenic Drive to the west and Stafford Drive to the east.[142]
TheLethbridge School Division and the separateHoly Spirit Roman Catholic School Division administer gradeskindergarten through 12 locally. The Palliser School Division, which is based in Lethbridge, administers public primary and secondary education in the outlying areas. Lethbridge School Division administers five high schools (Chinook High School, Immanuel Christian High School,Lethbridge Collegiate Institute, Victoria Park High School, andWinston Churchill High School), four middle schools, and 14 elementary schools in Lethbridge.[143] Immanuel Christian covers grades 6 through 12. There is also a Francophone school in Lethbridge, which is part of the Francophone school board, Conseil scolaire FrancoSud, based in Calgary.
Lethbridge is home toLethbridge Polytechnic, founded in 1957, and theUniversity of Lethbridge, founded in 1967.Red Crow Community College has a campus in the city. During the 2015–2016 school year, the University of Lethbridge and the Lethbridge Polytechnic had a combined enrolment of 14,820, which represented 20% of the city's population.[144]
Lethbridge is served by the dailyLethbridge Herald newspaper. The university and polytechnic both have a student-run, weekly newspaper. There are 12 FM radio stations, includingCKXU-FM, acampus radio station located at the University of Lethbridge.
As of 2025[update] Lethbridge has onesister city, three friendship cities, and three cities promoted by the Lethbridge Twinning Society.[145]
Saint-Laurent, Canada (1967)
Haebaru,Japan (2003)
Anyang,China (2004)
Great Falls,United States (2014)Culver City,United States (1989)
Timashevsk,Russia (1985)Towada,Japan (2002)
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