Medicine Hat injects $263K into Co-op Place staffing, will continue to run building

Council passed the pair of requests 7-2.

Coun. Darren Hirsch said that, while he normally takes a hands-off approach to government ownership, he was supportive of the city continuing to run the event centre.

“I love the economies of scale, I love the synergy of the Co-op Place and the Esplanade,” Hirsch said during a council meeting.

While not every establishment or asset in Medicine Hat should be run by city hall, Coun. Allison Knodel agreed with Hirsch that it felt right to have Co-op Place under city management.

“This makes sense in this situation,” Knodel said.

“I love watching it be in our control, I love watching it become something that, just to me, feels like Medicine Hat when you walk in the building,” she added.

Coun. Andy McGrogan asked what the extra cash injection would mean for taxpayers.

Brian Stauth, public services managing director, told McGrogan the extra money could result in a 0.25 per cent tax increase.

But that increase is necessary to protect revenues.

“One of the driving things behind this ask for staff is revenue protection,” Stauth said.

Coun. Hider asked what acts are coming to Co-op Place in 2024.

Community development director Leah Prestayko said management is working towards a goal of holding six major events this year, balancing the costs and frequency so the building can be filled for each of the varied headliners.

For Coun. Shila Sharps, the city continuing to run an establishment that could be run by a private company is a potential barrier to economic stimulation.

“I just feel like every time we do something, that takes away from business growth,” Sharps said.

Sharps added she was against a late budget amendment.

McGrogan said he wanted to see the Co-op Place go through the season under city control without the extra cash to get a bigger post-pandemic restrictions sample size.

“It’s too early, in my view, not enough information and too many questions,” he said.

Sharps and McGrogan were the only members of council to vote against the motion.

The City of Medicine Hat took over operations of Co-op Place in 2020 after a five-year contract with ASM Global came to an end.

The city operates both the mixed-use event space and the Esplanade centre in tandem, using a shared ticket platform.

by Eli J. Ridder | @EliRidder

Medicine Hat injects $263K into Co-op Place staffing, will continue to run building

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