Performing arts centre is an investment, says city group
By Lethbridge Herald on October 2, 2025.
Joe Manio
Lethbridge Herald
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A long-proposed performing arts centre (PAC) is a key piece of the Civic Common redevelopment strategy, a plan that is about more than just one building, but a framework for revitalizing part of downtown, attracting investment, and creating a place where people want to be, according to proponents.
“The vision is simple but powerful…a green, walkable, people-focused civic hub,” says Dawn Leite of the Performing Arts Centre Advocacy Group (PACAG). “The performing arts centre is a cornerstone project in that bigger picture. Because arts and culture are what bring people together’ it’s meant to be magnetic…a precinct that draws people in with housing, business and culture.”
The Civic Common project aims to create a vibrant and inclusive downtown area through various elements, including new buildings, upgrades to existing ones, enhancements to public spaces, and the potential for a performing arts centre.Â
Specifically, the plan involves upgrading the Civic Ice Centre, improving the nearby Civic Field, and revitalizing the Yates Memorial Theatre.Â
The project will also feature a new mixed-use, multi-functional street called the Civic Lane, designed to accommodate vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists, and can host markets and festivals.
At present, the biggest challenge for proponents is keeping the PAC on City Council’s radar, and in the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) budget. The next capital budget will be decided in late 2026.
According to proponents, the biggest case for a new PAC is the critical lack of sufficient, modern and flexible facilities to meet the needs of the city’s growing population and thriving arts community. Current venues like the Yates Memorial Centre are at capacity and unable to accommodate technical requirements, or offer sufficient seating for large-scale productions and community events.
“Tourism grows when a city has a reason to visit its downtown,” says Leite. “And we’ve seen this work elsewhere. Medicine Hat’s Esplanade (Arts and Heritage Centre) helped revitalize its core. Calgary’s East Village went from run-down to thriving. And Edmonton’s Arts District turned their downtown into a destination. We can do the same here in Lethbridge.”
In essence, advocates argue that as the fourth-largest city in Alberta, Lethbridge needs a world-class performing arts centre to support its artists, attract large-scale productions, and provide a vibrant cultural hub for both current and future residents.
Arguments against a new performing arts centre (PAC) in Lethbridge include concerns about the substantial cost, with estimates reaching $100 million or more and the potential for cost overruns.Â
Other arguments involve doubts about the necessity of such a large-scale facility, the possibility of investing in smaller, more accessible neighbourhood performance spaces instead, and the question of whether a single, large PAC truly serves the entire community.Â
There are also concerns about a lack of a clear, comprehensive plan with a concrete timeline and funding strategy for the project; and funding is the proverbial 800-pound gorilla in the room. To move forward, more public buy-in will be needed, and PAC proponents are continually seeking greater public support to move the project forward.Â
“The PAC must stay in the City’s CIP,” says Leite. “We need to continue advocating to City Council, to our MLAs, to our MP and to the broader community. We need to build partnerships with businesses, our educational institutions, cultural organizations, and with you.”
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100 million ? I say a third bridge is a higher priority. Not mentioned is the magnet that particular property is to drugs and lawlessness.
When this city learns to balance its budget and stop funding “nice to have” projects then we might be ready ready to throw $100+ million at this PAC. Continuously raising our taxes while spending millions of taxpayers dollars at non essential projects must stop. Recent incidents with both bridges should be a wake-up call that a third bridge should be on our radar. If we need to raise taxes this bridge would be used by more residents than most any other project including the $43 million being spent on the bike/walk infrastructure.
Another $100+ million for a pie-in-the-sky boondoggle. Build the flippin’ bridge, and let’s have Lethbridge move forward. It would be a massive economic benefit to all of Lethbridge. Where do the new Council hopefuls stand on this issue? Does someone in City Hall have property downtown??
“ . . . Tourism grows when a city has a reason to visit its downtown,” says Leite. . . . ”
Oh Please . . . is there no common sense left . . . no idea of what is a priority? We have spent tens of millions downtown for the arts in the last 12 years: CASA, SAAG, Yates renovations.
The continuing project of $7 million on SAAG to renovate it, when it sits in the middle of the area where many of the issues stem from downtown!
You really are out of touch if you think a performing arts center will bring people downtown! You want showcase downtown to tourists?
People don’t want to come downtown because they don’t feel safe, they don’t want their cars broken into and things stolen, they don’t want to be intimidated or assaulted, and they want to go places where they can relax and not worry . . . yet you continue to make the same mistakes BC did, by trying to attract people by revitalizing, gentrification, putting ‘ugly’ orange and blue planters around downtown . . . stop blowing our money! Lipstick on the pig . . . it is still a pig!
Gentrification, revitalization all failed in BC! BC ended up with storefront sidewalks with tents all along the streets, with million dollar properties across the street from them!
Clean up the streets, the criminals, the addicts so people feel safe coming downtown and you sill save millions of taxpayer dollars by ending the gongshow on our streets downtown. Stop allowing it! People will then come downtown!
We have spent over $35 million on arts buildings downtown in the last 12 years: CASA $20.69 million – Yates $14 million – SAAG $7 million
We need many other areas to be funded in this city that take precedent over a performing arts center! Where are the priorities of this leadership!
Our property taxes continue to rise, yet you want to increase them more for the arts?
Performing arts buildings are a ‘luxury’ item! We are facing some tough years ahead and you want us all to pour $100 million in a building many of us will never attend?
” . . . Early studies in 2011 estimated the cost at $45 million in 2011 dollars, which later increased to $80 million. By 2020, the price tag had risen to $100 million,. “
No common sense!
Hell to the no on this farcical waste of taxpayers’ money. Also, no to the bridge as it is just too costly. Freezing our property taxes, or at least limiting the increase to the inflation rate, for the next four years, should be the objective of the new city Council.
We have had years of overspending and now is the time to tighten our belts and push all these projects far into the future.