Council approves land donation for use as park

By Al Beeber - Lethbridge Herald on July 25, 2024.

Herald file photo - Council has voted to accept a donation of land at 309 2 Ave. S. from the Chinese National League Society to be used as a downtown pocket park.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDabeeber@lethbridgeherald.com

Lethbridge city council on Tuesday voted to approve a recommendation from the Assets and Infrastructure Standing Policy Committee of council that it accept a donation of land from the Chinese National League Society to be used as a downtown pocket park.

The matter was contained in the consent agenda that was approved unanimously.

The property is located at 309 2 Ave. S. and is presently vacant. At its meeting earlier this month, the SPC voted to recommend council accept the donation of the property which once was home to the since-demolished CNLS BUILDING.

The society wants to develop a pocket park at the site to preserve the history of the local Chinese community “with the hope of reinvigorating investment, interest and development in Lethbridge’s Chinatown,” said a report to the SPC.

Opportunity Lethbridge has helped the society explore options for the park and assisted them in getting a conceptual design as well as quotes for construction and maintenance.

The society plans to fund the capital development of the park with the City being responsible for ongoing maintenance and repair costs.

The property has an assessed value of $84,000.

The donation request is contingent upon several conditions, including:

a. The Chinese National League Society securing adequate grant funding to complete the project;

b. The results of the environmental assessment are satisfactory of the City Manager;

c. Execution of a land donation agreement in a form satisfactory to the city manager.

The estimated cost of the park project is $549,505 with the society planning to fund all of its cost through grants.