Government anouncements set stage

trevor.kenney — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:17:58 +0000

By RICHARD WESTLUND

This week will be very telling for Alberta's post-secondary sector as Alberta's Speech from the Throne is read (Feb. 7) and the Government of Alberta's budget is released (Feb. 9).

Alberta Finance Minister Ron Liepert has hinted that the budget will not include any large expenditures or adversely any deep cuts, and that the health and education sectors remain priority areas for the government.

The U of L has spent a great deal of time over the past year advocating for stable and predictable funding that reflects the institution's mandate. Any budget documents from this week's release will be available on the Government Relations blog (blogs.ulethbridge.ca/government-relations).

Cabinet tour hits U of L

In late January, Alberta cabinet ministers took part in an outreach tour of the province. Minister of Culture and Community Services, Heather Klimchuk, along with Advanced Education and Technology Minister, Greg Weadick, spent some time on campus looking at various facilities. Considering the cultural component to Klimchuk's responsibilities, she was shown the Digital Audio Arts facility as well as some of the Art Gallery's storage areas. Klimchuk had the opportunity to see some amazing pieces from the U of L Art Collection while on a tour last year as well. She understands the uniqueness of the Art Gallery's program as a valuable teaching resource for our students, as well as a cultural resource for the broader public.

Ministerial Decks

In an effort to make both elected and non-elected government members more aware of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's teaching and research strengths, the Government Relations Office is creating general briefings, or Ministerial Decks.

These general briefings are sent directly to managers, directors, assistant deputy ministers, deputy ministers, elected members and their staff, as well as made available on the U of L's Government Relations website (www.uleth.ca/president/government-relations).

In recent months, briefings related to the U of L's relevance in the agriculture industry and issues related to water and the environment have been created and released. The third installment, focusing on health and wellness, will be available shortly.

One of the challenges of this project is including only a few of the many compelling stories the U of L has to offer in these areas. The goal of these publications is to ensure the U of L is viewed as an institution that has a significant role to play in issues that resonate with the government and citizens of Alberta.

Richard Westlund is the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's director of government relations.

This story first appeared in the February 2012 edition of The Legend. To view the full issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Additional dollars to complete stadium project

trevor.kenney — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:00:50 +0000

The partnerships needed to construct the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's Regional Stadium and Field Complex were on full display this past weekend when a major funding hurdle was cleared with help of the Alberta provincial government.

Minister of Culture and Community Spirit, Lindsay Blackett, was in Lethbridge to announce an additional $1.3 million investment in the facility, allowing the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ to complete the project to the full scope it had intended.

"Sports and recreation are important aspects of community connectedness," said Blackett to a crowd of onlookers that included members of potential user groups, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ supporters and City of Lethbridge representatives. "This new multi-use sports field complex will provide athletes and spectators alike with a gathering place to share their love of sport."

Funds will assist with the construction of the sports complex, including a new football/soccer field, track and field facilities, and a 2,000-seat grandstand. The new complex will help meet the sport and recreational needs of Lethbridge and surrounding communities.

"Lethbridge and its neighbouring communities are in need of a new sports complex," said Greg Weadick, MLA Lethbridge-West.

"Southern Alberta has a long-standing tradition of excellent local football programs and this new stadium will provide the opportunity for both players and spectators to be part of continued growth of community sports programs in a modern facility. A number of communities, organizations and individuals worked together on this important project, and I want to thank everyone for their hard work and co-operation."

"We are very pleased the Government of Alberta has chosen to invest an additional $1.3 million in this significant community project," ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge President Bill Cade said.

"Their financial support allows us to put the finishing touches on this facility, and to present a high-quality asset to the community. We are looking forward to hosting our first high school football game in mid-September, and also to having our ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ track and field, soccer and national championship women's rugby team having an excellent place to play and call home."

The facility is slated to be open for play later this summer with the first major events being the start of the Southern Alberta High School Football League schedule. The facility's grand opening weekend is Sept. 25-26.

The provincial government has contributed a total of $3.3 million to the project (the first $2 million was presented in 2008) from its Major Community Facilities Program (MCFP). Started in 2007-08, the MCFP was a two-year $280-million lottery-funded program that helped municipalities, not-for-profit organizations and Aboriginal communities plan, upgrade or build major public-use facilities that enhance community life.

The funds were provided on a matching basis, meaning a great deal of community support was required to make the grant possible.

The Government of Alberta has a wide variety of community investment programs that create stronger and safer communities.

UNews - Minister of Culture

Government anouncements set stage

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