Citizens Invited To Give Online Feedback to Leisure Centre Study

The City of Lethbridge is currently engaging in a Leisure Centre Study. The purpose of the Study is to determine if there is a need in the community for a future Leisure Centre, and to examine what components could be included as a part of this type of facility.

This study has been undertaken at the request of City Council after hearing from the community that there is a desire for a Leisure Centre to enhance quality of life opportunities within Lethbridge. "We envision a facility that would have the potential to be the community hub with programming and activities available for all citizens of our community," says Ashley Matthews, Recreation and Culture Manager with the City of Lethbridge.

In the fall of 2011, Group2 Architecture of Red Deer, along with local firm Ferrari Westwood Babits Architects, were selected to lead the Study. They have been working with City staff and stakeholder groups to learn about the needs in Lethbridge for a facility that would address different recreational and sport activities. Group2 has been involved in many well known Leisure Centres built throughout the province such as Collicutt Centre in Red Deer and the Meadows Community Recreation Centre in Edmonton, plus members of the team worked on the University of Lethbridge's 1st Choice Savings Centre for Health and Wellness.

Public Open Houses to share the preliminary findings and get feedback from the community were held on Tuesday, January 31st and on Wednesday, February 1st. A visual presentation and a questionnaire from those evenings is now available on the City's website www.lethbridge.ca under THINGS TO DO. The questionnaire will be accessible until noon on Friday February 24th, at which time the answers will be reviewed by the consultants before they move forward in the next part of their research.

While this is only a study, the work done now will help guide the process should the City move forward in the future to build such a complex. The final report from this study is expected to be presented to City Council in May 2012.