Community Conversation gives residents opportunity to voice feedback on projects

By Lethbridge Herald on January 28, 2026.

Herald photo by ALEXANDRA NOAD A member from the infrastructure team demos the VR tour which will be one of 40 community participants residents can learn about at the Community Conversation.

By Alexandra Noad

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter-Lethbridge Herald

Lethbridge’s largest engagement event is returning to the VisitLethbridge.com Arena this Thursday, Jan. 29 with 40 different projects and community partners available under one roof to provide an opportunity for education and feedback.

The Community Conversation family, friendly event will take place between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. and will include a free family skate, with the Lethbridge Hurricanes joining between 4 and 5 p.m., along with free samples from the arena concessions and chances to win prizes for providing feedback.

Sara Peters, senior strategist of Communications and Engagement says the Community Conversation gives residents the opportunity to give their feedback on upcoming projects, without the hassle of attending multiple open houses throughout the year.

“Community engagement is very important to us…there’s certain levels in the projects (where) people can provide more input on.”

One of these stages include the beginning stages of projects and Peters encourages residents if they see a project they’re interested in to provide feedback to ensure their voice is heard.

She adds that events like this allow residents to have in-person conversations with projects experts who can provide answers to any questions they may have.

“At these events, you’re talking to the subject matter expert on that specific project, so, you’re talking directly to the person who knows about that project, can answer questions for you and learn a little bit more or maybe have some myths busted as well.”

Some project highlights at the event will be taxation notice enhancement which will be gathering info on how Lethbridge residents read and understand their notices to see if there’s any improvements the city can make.

Additionally, the infrastructure services team will be showcasing their latest project, virtual interactive tours of seven different spaces including transit buses, organics processing facility and the wastewater treatment plant.

These interactive tours will be available both on a computer and VR formats.

Asheley Cowie, education outreach lead for infrastructure services says these tours will provide an interactive experience for people of all ages to explore spaces they may not normally have the opportunity to see.

“It’s an opportunity to see seven different facilities that we have tours of, where you can explore, you can see the facilities, you can see how things work and it’s an attractive opportunity to engage and get some education around our infrastructure services.”

The infrastructure team has spent the last four months creating this project and is working on developing a website.

Along with having a website, the team plans on bringing the project along to their presentation to schools to give students the opportunity to explore the facilities without having to go to the facilities in person.

Peters says the goal for the Community Conversation is to allow residents to engage in their community and the projects currently happening.

“Anytime people come out into the community and are engaged, we find it successful, so the more people in the door, the better.”