Lethbridge
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- This article is about the city in Alberta, Canada. For other uses, see Lethbridge (disambiguation).
| City of Lethbridge | |
(Coat of Arms of Lethbridge) |
(Flag of Lethbridge) |
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| Area | 127.19 km² |
| Population | 78,713 (2006) |
| Pop'n rank | 48th |
| Pop'n density | 607.0 |
| Location | |
| Altitude | 910 metres |
| Incorporation | 1906 |
| Province | Alberta |
| Census Division | 2 |
| Members of Parliament | Rick Casson (Cons.) |
| Members of the Legislative Assembly | Clint Dunford (P.C.), Bridget Pastoor (Lib.) |
| Mayor | Robert D. Tarleck |
| City Manager | Bryan Horrocks |
| Governing Body | Lethbridge City Council |
| Time zone | Mountain (UTC-7) |
| Postal code | T1H to T1K |
| Area Code | 403 |
| Official website: City of Lethbridge | |
Lethbridge is a city in the province of Alberta, Canada. It is Alberta's fourth largest city by population after Calgary, Edmonton, and Red Deer. At 127.19 km² (49.1 sq. mi.), it is the third largest in area after Calgary and Edmonton. It is located near the Canadian Rockies and is 210 km (130 miles) southeast of Calgary on the Oldman River. Citizens of Lethbridge are called Lethbridgians.
Contents |
[edit] History
After the US Army outlawed alcohol trading in 1869 with the Blackfeet Nation in Montana, traders John J. Healy and Alfred B. Hamilton started the whiskey trading post Fort Hamilton, which later came to be nicknamed Fort Whoop-Up.
The whiskey trade eventually lead to the massacre of many Assiniboines in the Cypress Hills in 1873. As a result, the North West Mounted Police were sent to the area to stop the trade and establish order. The NWMP arrived at Fort Whoop-Up on 9 October 1874. For the next twelve years, the fort continued to trade and host a NWMP post.
The city developed from drift mines opened by Nicholas Sheran (1874) and the North Western Coal and Navigation Company (1882), whose president was William Lethbridge.
The first rail line was built in Lethbridge, being completed 28 August 1885 by the Alberta Railway and Coal Company. Because of the rail industry's dependence of coal and the CPR's immigration efforts to settle southern Alberta, Lethbridge became instrumental in the economic success of the region. In the mid-1980s, the rail yards in downtown Lethbridge were moved to nearby Kipp and Lethbridge ceased operating as a hub for rail traffic in the province.
[edit] Neighbourhoods
Lethbridge is split into three geographical areas: north, south and west. West Lethbridge is separated from the other two by the Oldman River. North and South Lethbridge are separated by the Crowsnest Highway and the CPR rail line.
The newest of the three neighbourhoods, West Lethbridge (pop. 27,154)[1] is home to the University of Lethbridge. The bulk of the city's growth since the early 1990s has been on the west side. It also has the youngest population of the three.
The north side (pop. 23,241)[1] was originally populated as a result of numerous coal mines in the area. It has the oldest population of the three neighbourhoods and is home to multiple industrial parks.
South Lethbridge (pop. 28,318)[1] is the commercial heart of the city. It contains the downtown core, as well as the bulk of retail and hospitality establishments. Lethbridge Community College is also located here.
[edit] Economy
Lethbridge is the commercial, distribution, financial and industrial centre of southern Alberta (although Medicine Hat plays a significant role in southeastern Alberta). It has a trading area population of 250,000 (including parts of British Columbia and Montana).
In 2004, the municipal government organised Economic Development Lethbridge, a body responsible for the promotion and development of the city's commercial interests. Also in that year, 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.
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 is responsible for the development and attraction of alternative energy business, including wind power, solar power and biofuel.
Traditionally, Lethbridge's economy has been agriculture based; however, as the city has grown in recent years, its economy has become more diversified. As shown below, half of the city's industry—at least in 2001—was in the health, education, retail and hospitality sectors and the top five employers were government based..
[edit] Industry sectors
According to the 2001 federal census[2], Lethbridge industry sectors make up the following shares of the economy:
- Health and education services: 21%
- Wholesale and retail trade: 17%
- Leisure, hospitality and food services: 13%
- Primary and construction: 10%
- Manufacturing: 10%
- Professional and business services: 10%
- Public administration: 5%
- Transportation and warehousing: 5%
- Finance and insurance: 3%
- Other: 6%
[edit] Top ten employers
In 2005, the top ten employers in Lethbridge were as follows[3]:
- Chinook Health (including Chinook Regional Hospital): 1,900
- University of Lethbridge: 1,798
- City of Lethbridge: 1,200
- Lethbridge School District: 975
- Lethbridge Community College: 948
- Alberta Government offices: 804
- Convergys: 700
- Sun Life: 500
- Holy Spirit School Division: 500
- Canada Safeway: 489
[edit] Major attractions
The Lethbridge Viaduct, commonly known as the High Level Bridge, is the longest railway bridge of its kind in the world. Construction was completed in 1909 on what was then the western edge of the city.
Indian Battle Park, located in the coulees of the Oldman River, commemorates the last battle between the Cree and the Blackfoot First Nations in 1870.
Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden, located in south Lethbridge, was opened in 1967 in celebration for the Canadian centennial. It was a royal event with Japan’s Prince and Princess Takamatsu leading a list of special guests.
Fort Whoop-Up was also known as Fort Hamilton; during the late 1800s it served as a centre for various illegal activities. Fort Whoop-Up was first built in 1869 by J.J. Healy and A.B. Hamilton with the purpose of being a whiskey post. Its first structure was destroyed by fire within a year of its construction — whether this was an accident or deliberate arson is unknown. A second, more sturdy structure later replaced Fort Whoop-Up.
Galt Museum & Archives is the largest museum in the Lethbridge area. Its building once served as the main hospital in the city during the late 1800s and early 1900s. It has an extensive collection of archives and hosts exhibits. Between 2004–2006, it underwent major renovation, which included a 5000-square foot exhibit centre, a larger store, and a 2,500-square foot education centre.
Paradise Canyon Golf Resort, located in the city's southwest, is a world-class golf course with amenities available in larger cities. The eighteen-hole course lies alongside of the Oldman River, and is often prone to damage from spring floods.
[edit] Skyline
There are several prominent structures on Lethbridge's skyline, some of which are unique to the city. Probably the most familiar (and definitely the oldest) landmark is the High Level Bridge. Nearly 100 years old, it is often displayed on tourist postcards and official city publications.
Another prominent landmark is the post office. While not as widely recognized as the High Level Bridge, it is one of the most unique buildings in Lethbridge, especially when compared to other buildings in southern Alberta. The four-storey building was built at the turn of the 20th century and is crowned by a functioning clock tower.
The remainder of prominent buildings in Lethbridge's downtown skyline consist of several office towers.
In addition, some other prominent landmarks outside of downtown are the water tower, which was originally built in 1958 and sold to a private developer who converted it into a restaurant, and the Alberta Terminals grain elevators.
[edit] Education
[edit] Public school
Grades Kindergarten to 12 are administered in Lethbridge by the public Lethbridge School District and the Catholic Holy Spirit Division. Lethbridge is also home to one of the three campuses of the Third Academy private school.
[edit] Higher education
Lethbridge is home to a university and a college. In addition, a campus of Red Crow Community College is also located in the city.
The University of Lethbridge, founded in 1967. The University Hall building at the University of Lethbridge—designed by Arthur Erickson—is one of the most significant examples of modern architecture in Canada. It is the only internationally recognized building in Lethbridge, and one of the few in Alberta.
Lethbridge Community College, founded in 1957, was the first public college in the country.
During the 2003–2004 school year, the post secondary student population in the city was approximately 14,000 at both the University of Lethbridge and the Lethbridge Community College, which is roughly 20% of the city's population.[4]
[edit] Arts and culture
- See also: Festivals in Lethbridge
Lethbridge is home to many venues and organizations promoting the arts. For example, founded in 1957, the Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge is the largest organization in Lethbridge dedicated to preserving and enhancing the local arts.
Lethbridge was designated a Cultural Capital of Canada for the 2004-2005 season.
[edit] Visual arts
Lethbridge has been characterized as having the "most artists per capita in Canada".[citation needed] Visual artists in Lethbridge range from nationally-recognized artists, emerging contemporary artists, to western and recreational painters. There are three major museum/galleries in Lethbridge: The Southern Alberta Art Gallery (SAAG) is a contemporary gallery of national and international renown; The Bowman Arts Centre, administrated under the aegis of the Allied Arts Council, operates three galleries that show works as diverse as video installation to quality handicrafts; and the University of Lethbridge Art Gallery highlights work from its impressive collection of historical and contemporary art, one of the largest collections in Western Canada.
In addition to the major organizations, there are numerous smaller groups both contemporary and traditional. The Trap/door Artist Run Centre is an artist-run-centre modelled after similar centres across the country. The Gallery Potemkin Collective is an informal and non-hierarchical collective that presents exhibitions and events. The Allied Arts Council acts as an umbrella organization for both large and small groups, with a membership of over thirty arts organizations.
[edit] Music
The Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra has been performing in the city since 1960. Since its inception, it has resulted in spin-off music groups, such as the Lethbridge Musical Theatre and Southern Alberta Chamber Orchestra. Vox Musica is a community choir based at the University of Lethbridge and has been performing since 1984.
Lethbridge also features a small, but strong independent music scene. Various local pubs and nightclubs regularly host local acts.
[edit] Theatre
In addition to productions presented by the University of Lethbridge's theatre department, Lethbridge is also home to the New West Theatre, which produces a season of seven shows annually including original music revues and new Canadian drama. New West Theatre performs at the Genevieve E. Yates Memorial Centre, using its two theatres: the 500-seat proscenium Yates Theatre and the 180-seat black box Sterndale Bennet Theatre.
[edit] Racial & Ethnic Diversity
Lethbridge has a predominantly white population with roughly only 1 out of 10 persons being non-European[2]. Of those, over a third are aboriginal, most of whom come from the nearby Peigan and Kainai nations. Of the remaining 63%, Chinese and Japanese make up the largest portion at over 1,200 each, about 40% together.
Lethbridge is also home to Latin Americans (6%), South Asians (4%), Southeast Asians (4%), Blacks (3%), Filipinos (3%), and Koreans (1%).
[edit] Religion
The most commonly observed faith in Lethbridge is Christianity. According to the 2001 federal census[2], there were 50,245 residents who indicated they were Christian. Of these, 62.6% were Protestant, 30.4% were Catholic, 0.6% were Christian Orthodox, and 6.3% were unspecified. The remainder of those who professed religious affiliation amounted to roughly 2%.
Of those who indicated religious affiliation, but were not Christian, 70% were Buddhist, 14% were Muslim, 6% were Hindu, 5% were Jewish and 4% were Sikh.
While Statistics Canada does not include numbers of Mormons separately in their census reports, an estimated 5,500 adherents of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Community of Christ live in Lethbridge.[5] At seven percent of the city's population, this is significantly higher than the national average of 0.5%.
[edit] Sports and recreation
Lethbridge's multipurpose arena, the ENMAX Centre (formerly known as the Sportsplex) was built for the 1975 Canada Winter Games. The 6,500-seat facility has hosted concerts, three-ring circuses, multicultural events, national curling championships, basketball events, banquets, skating events and the Lethbridge Hurricanes, a major WHL franchise. Some of the features of the arena are a running track, racquetball and squash courts, a full-size ice rink, and a large indoor climbing wall. There is also an outdoor sports field with capacity for 2,000 people adjacent to the centre.
In 1997, the 58,000 square foot Lethbridge Soccer Centre was built directly south of the ENMAX Centre and added two regulation size indoor soccer pitches to the complex.
Lethbridge has six indoor ice arenas with a total ice area of 11,220 m² (120,766 ft²) and a total seating capacity of 8,149. Other than the ENMAX Centre, all ice surfaces are available from October to April only.
As with any other urban area, the city has numerous recreational facilities. In addition to those already listed above, Lethbridge has facilities for field sports and baseball. It has five golf courses, a disc golf course, a skate park, a BMX track, an indoor soccer centre, a climbing wall, a dozen tennis courts, seven pools, and a 755 hectare (1,865 acre) urban park system.
Lethbridge is 150 km east of the Castle Mountain ski resort. It is also home to three golf courses (including the award-winning Paradise Canyon Golf Resort) and within 30 km of several others.
[edit] Current Amateur teams
- Lethbridge Bulls (Baseball/Western Major Baseball League)
- Lethbridge Hurricanes (Hockey/Western Hockey League)
[edit] Transportation
Mass transit in Lethbridge consists of 36 buses (with an average age of 10 years) covering most of the city on over a dozen routes. Traditionally, all bus routes in the city started and ended downtown. In the early 21st century, however, cross-town and shuttle routes have been introduced. The bus system is managed by Lethbridge Transit.
The Parks and Recreation department maintains the city-wide, 30-kilometre, pedestrian/cyclist Coal Banks Trail system (map). The system was designed to connect the Oldman River valley with other areas of the city, including Pavan Park in the north, Henderson Lake in the east, highways 4 and 5 in the south and a loop in West Lethbridge (including University Drive and McMaster Blvd).
Four provincial highways (3, 4, 5, and 25) run through or terminate in Lethbridge. This has led to the creation of major arterial roads (including Mayor Magrath Drive, University Drive and Scenic Drive). This, and the fact Lethbridge is located on the CANAMEX Corridor, has led to Lethbridge being a major shipping destination, with many shipping lines having depots located in the city.
Lethbridge is a short drive north from the United States border via highways 4 and 5; and a two hour drive (210 km) south of Calgary, Alberta via highways 2 and 3. Highways 2, 3 and 4 form part of the CANAMEX trade route between Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
In addition to having significant road service, Lethbridge is very close to the Lethbridge County Airport and the CPR rail yards in Kipp. The rail yards were moved to Kipp, just west of the city, from downtown Lethbridge in 1983 to make way for commercial expansion. The county airport provides commercial flights to several Alberta cities (such as Calgary and Edmonton) and at the end of 2006 to Mexico, as well as private and charter flights to various other destinations. The airport also provides customs services for any flights coming in from the United States.
[edit] Geography & climate
The city of Lethbridge is located at degrees 49.7° north latitude and -112.833° east longitude and covers an area of 121.83 km². The city is intersected by the Oldman River, the valley of which has been turned into one of the largest urban park systems in North America at 755 hectares (1,865 acres) of protected land. The city is Alberta's fourth largest city by population after Calgary, Edmonton, and Red Deer. At 127.19 km², it is the third largest in area after Calgary and Edmonton. It is located near the Canadian Rockies and is 210 km (130 miles) southeast of Calgary on the Oldman River.
[edit] Satellite communities
Lethbridge serves as a hub of the commercial activity of the region, which includes several satellite communities. In addition, it provides many services and amenities for the region. Much of the region's transportation needs are provided by or concentrated in or near the city including Greyhound service, convergence of four provincial highways, rail service and an airport. Other than the Red Crow Community College, the only post-secondary education south of Calgary and west of Medicine Hat is provided only by Lethbridge and consists of the University of Lethbridge and Lethbridge Community College. As well, Lethbridge has a trading area population of 250,000 people that covers southern Alberta and parts of British Columbia and Montana.
The city also provides direct services to surrounding communities. For example, in 2004, the police services of Lethbridge and Coaldale combined to form the Lethbridge Regional Police Service. As well, the city provides municipal water to the nearby towns of Coaldale and Coalhurst and the hamlets of Diamond City, Iron Springs, Shaughnessy and Turin.
In addition, Lethbridge provides jobs for up to 80,000 people who commute to the city from a radius of 100 km.[6] It also provides numerous processing facilities for nearby agricultural producers, as well as at least a dozen trucking firms for commercial shipping needs.
The following are satellite communities of Lethbridge:
[edit] Climate
Lethbridge has a moderate continental climate with an average maximum temperature of 12.3 °C (54.14 °F) and an average minimum temperature of -1 °C (30.2 °F). With roughly 2400 hours of sunshine per year, Lethbridge is one of the sunniest cities in Canada. Average precipitation amounts to 386.3 mm (15.21 in). With an average wind speed of 18.20 km/h (11.31 mph), Lethbridge is the eighth windiest city in Canada;[7] it places second in the country for the most windy days of 40 km/h or more.[7]
Lethbridge winters have the highest temperatures in the prairies. Its relatively mild winters are a result of several geographical factors:
- Close proximity to the Rocky Mountains protects it from strong northwest and southwest winds, often associated with blizzard conditions.
- High elevation (928.70 m)
- Frequent chinooks
The summers in Lethbridge are relatively cooler than most other locations in the prairies, also a result of its higher elevation.
| Month | Record Low | Average Low | Average Temp | Average High | Record High | Average Rain | Average Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -42.8 (Jan 3, 1950) | -13.8 | -7.8 | -1.8 | 16.7 (Jan 19, 1944) | 0.1 mm | 21.9 cm |
| February | -42.2 (Feb 9, 1939) | -10.7 | -4.6 | 1.5 | 21.8 (Feb 27, 1992) | 0.4 mm | 13.5 cm |
| March | -38.0 (Mar 8, 2002) | -6.5 | -0.2 | 6.0 | 26.8 (Mar 30, 2004) | 1.4 mm | 25.5 cm |
| April | -25.6 (Apr 11, 1940) | -0.9 | 6.0 | 12.9 | 31.1 (Apr 28, 1939) | 16.1 mm | 16.3 cm |
| May | -11.7 (May 1, 1954) | -4.2 | 11.3 | 18.2 | 34.2 (May 30, 1986) | 49.4 mm | 4.0 cm |
| June | -1.7 (Jun 1, 1951) | 8.6 | 15.5 | 22.3 | 38.3 (Jun 23, 1941) | 63.0 mm | 0.0 cm |
| July | 0.9 (Jul 16, 1999) | 10.5 | 18.0 | 25.5 | 39.4 (Jul 10, 1973) | 47.5 mm | 0.0 cm |
| August | -1.0 (Aug 25, 1992) | 10.0 | 17.7 | 25.4 | 38.9 (Aug 3, 2001) | 45.1 mm | 0.8 cm |
| September | -9.4 (Sep 25, 1972) | 5.1 | 12.6 | 20.1 | 36.7 (Sep 3, 1950) | 37.6 mm | 2.1 cm |
| October | -26.7 (Oct 31, 1984) | 0.0 | 7.0 | 14.0 | 31.7 (Oct 4, 1943) | 8.8 mm | 10.4 cm |
| November | -34.7 (Nov 21, 1996) | -7.2 | -1.5 | 4.3 | 22.8 (Nov 6, 1949) | 1.2 mm | 17.3 cm |
| December | -42.8 (Dec 29, 1968) | -12.0 | -6.2 | -0.2 | 19.6 (Dec 30, 1984) | 0.5 mm | 18.8 cm |
[edit] Weather Records
| Type | Record | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Hottest temperature | 39.4 °C (103 °F) | July 10, 1973 |
| Coldest temperature | -42.8 °C (-45 °F) | January 3, 1950 |
| Hottest humidex | 40.9 °C (106 °F) | July 11, 2002 |
| Coldest windchill | -55.7 °C (-68 °F) | December 28, 1968 |
| Most rain in one day | 85.4 mm (3.36 in) | May 23, 1980 |
| Most snow in one day | 55.1 cm (21.7 in) | September 21, 1968 |
| Deepest snow cover | 86.0 cm (34 in) | April 30, 1967 |
| Highest sustained wind | 121 km/h (75 mph) | November 19, 1962 |
| Highest wind gust | 171 km/h (106 mph) | November 19, 1962 |
| Highest solar radiation | 17.4 RF4 | July 14, 1975 |
[edit] Government
Lethbridgians elect representatives to the federal, provincial, and municipal levels of government. One Member of Parliament (MPs) representing Lethbridge sits in the House of Commons in Ottawa, and another 2 Members of Alberta's legislative assembly (MLAs) sit in the Legislative Assembly in Edmonton. Being Alberta's fourth most populous city, many provincial offices are located in the city.
Lethbridge's local government consists of 8 elected councillors, who along with the mayor, make up the Lethbridge City Council. Lethbridge elects a new government every three years, in October. The City of Lethbridge has an operating budget of C$200 million, more than half of which is received through property taxation.[8]
[edit] Sister cities
[edit] Police Services
[edit] Local media
[edit] Trivia
The City of Lethbridge is mentioned in the closing credits of Hunch, a show-within-a-show, during the 17th season finale of The Simpsons.
[edit] See also
- Brocket 99, a racist comedy tape made by local DJs
- Charles Alexander Magrath
- Lethbridge Collegiate Institute
- Lethbridge (electoral district)
- Lethbridge municipal elections
- List of Lethbridgians
- Winston Churchill High School
[edit] External links
- City of Lethbridge - Official website for the city
- Economic Development Lethbridge - Official economic development website
- Lethbridge Herald
- Statistics Canada community profile
- Lethbridge Regional Police Service
- Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b c Economic Development Lethbridge, "Lethbridge Census 2006 - City population up 1.96% per cent since 2005", 25 May 2006
- ^ a b c Lethbridge Community Profile, Statistics Canada. 2002. 2001 Community Profiles. Released 27 June 2002. Last modified: 2005-11-30. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 93F0053XIE
- ^ Major employers of Lethbridge - 2005, Economic Development Lethbridge, accessed 2 August 2006
- ^ Lethbridge Profile, 2003–2004, City of Lethbridge
- ^ This figure is based on the fact that there are 18 LDS congregations in Lethbridge and the average membership for a congregation is 300.
- ^ Business Investment Profile 2005/2006, Economic Development Lethbridge. 2005. Accessed 7 November 2006.
- ^ a b Weather Winners
- ^ 2006–2008 Preliminary Operating Budget Overview, City of Lethbridge
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Diamond City | |
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| Coalhurst |
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Coaldale | ||
| Welling |
| Census divisions | 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12 - 13 - 14 - 15 - 16 - 17 - 18 - 19 |
|---|---|
| Cities | Airdrie - Brooks - Calgary - Camrose - Cold Lake - Edmonton - Fort Saskatchewan - Grande Prairie - Leduc - Lethbridge - Lloydminster - Medicine Hat - Red Deer - Spruce Grove - St. Albert - Wetaskiwin |
| Communities | Counties and Municipal Districts of Alberta - Towns of Alberta - Villages of Alberta - Hamlets of Alberta - Indian Reserves in Alberta - Métis in Alberta |
