Local restaurateur gives Water Tower Grill another chance at success

“I wanted to have everybody [be able] to see the view, go up [the tower], enjoy the moment and so that our friends and family – when they visit Lethbridge – you can bring them up and say this is our Lethbridge, this is where we live, this is what we look like. So, I wanted to have that option open and to keep that option open, somebody has to run a restaurant there.”

The revamped grill will offer Mediterranean-inspired, locally sourced food that’s affordable for all types of budgets. Khanal said that’s something he brings to his other two restaurants.

“We will serve anything from burgers to steak, so there is not one particular type of food – it will be more of a Canadian restaurant, that’s what I call it…it’s a melting pot of cultures,” he said.

The Mediterranean inspiration adds a little spice and flavour to items on the menu, including fish, chicken, beef and potatoes.

He said his goal is to not market the restaurant as a premium dining experience, but a place where anyone can go to grab an enjoyable, affordable lunch or dinner with a great view.

He added that once his operation gets running, it could also result in a big tourism boost for Lethbridge.

Khanal’s Water Tower Grill and Bar will keep the same look as the last iteration, minus a few paint touch-ups and slight changes to the bar area, including a cocktail station.

EMPLOYEES

One of the things Khanal wanted to do when he decided to take over in October was offer employment to all workers at restaurant. He was able to hang on to a few team members, while some left to pursue other work to avoid a lack of work between the October closing and January re-opening.

“I think we’ve got around 15 of the previous employees already on board, so we have most of them on board,” he said, adding he’ll always be around to offer advice and check in with staff.

“They [employees] have huge potential, they are great people.”

Khanal said they plan on holding a soft opening on January 2, 2020 before a grand opening on January 31, barring any changes.

During that soft opening period, management will be able to make any tweaks or changes based off customer feedback.

“I’m working with local ranchers and farmers to support them as well, so it’s the kind of business that we want people to be proud of that’s not all about money, it’s all about how we work together and how we can showcase the whole of Lethbridge.”

Upon opening, restaurant hours will be 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The lounge will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. for customers to enjoy cocktails and shareable tapas plates and a full menu.

The Water Tower Grill and Bar will also hold a cocktail hour daily from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. and will offer private spaces for events like birthday parties or an afternoon meeting.

RICH HISTORY

The towering structure was built from 1957 to 1959 and once held close to 2-million litres of water. In 1999, it was decommissioned but in 2004, Douglas J. Bergen convinced City Hall not to destroy it. He bought the building and renovated it into a restaurant. Since then, it’s been the home of multiple establishments, including Rick’s Grill and the last iteration of The Water Tower Grill and Bar.

by Justin Goulet

Local restaurateur gives Water Tower Grill another chance at success

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