Officials unveil proposed regional blueprint for Medicine Hat, Cypress and Redcliff

“It is a thorough process to find mutually beneficial outcomes for a city, town and county that are all looking for the best interest of their residents,” she added.

“This process requires strong regional collaboration to be successful, and that is what we have here.”

The IDP, launched as required by the Municipal Government Act in 2009, was last updated in 2020. As a “living document”, it’s meant to be updated regularly.

The proposed Intermunicipal Development Plan was outlined by officials on Thursday. Graphic/City of Medicine Hat

Part of the proposed IDP is an agri-industrial area set aside for business potential.

Ted Nestor, a Medicine Hat senior planner, said a pair of infrastructure projects — the Highway 3 twinning initiative and an expected extended runway at the Medicine Hat Regional Airport — made it a prime location.

Planning for the proposal was carried out by the Intermunicipal Committee, a board made up of two representatives from each member municipality.

Clark and Coun. Shila Sharps make up Medicine Hat’s delegation.

The current plan approved in 2020. Graphic/City of Medicine Hat

The committee nearly fell apart earlier this year when Cypress County started to consider leaving.

The county decided to remain after a change in direction by the group, Reeve Dan Hamilton said.

“Shaking the tree a few months ago was the turning point of the committee,” Hamilton told CHAT News.

“Cypress County felt they weren’t being heard for a while and when we made the decision to maybe change things up, that’s when the region got together and said ‘hey, somebody’s got a valid point here and we need to look at it.’”

Eli J. Ridder/CHAT News

The proposal does not bring many changes for the Town of Redcliff, according to Mayor Dwight Kilpatrick.

“They don’t have a huge impact on Redcliff, but subtle changes to the north just keep it more consistent,” Kilpatrick said.

“But truly, if it improves the region, it’s still a good thing for Redcliff because we do have symbiotic relations with each other.”

Kilpatrick said Redcliff’s representatives played a “watch and consensus build” role with most of the deliberations taking place between the city and the county.

Medicine Hat Mayor Linnsie Clark, Redcliff Mayor Dwight Kilpatrick and Cypress County Reeve Dan Hamilton revealed the proposed plan on Thursday. Eli Ridder/CHAT News

Clark sees the development plan as an example of what can be accomplished through collaboration.

“This is such a win and it is a testament to the desire for each of the municipalities to work together and overcome challenges instead of just letting them divide us,” Clark said.

“Sometimes that’s hard, sometimes there’s disagreements along the way, but we have to remember that we are neighbours and I think that’s where we are now.”

Next, the committee is taking time to hear from the public through an open house running from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 3 at the Desert Blume Golf Course clubhouse.

Approval from the city, county and town councils will be required to implement a final version of the proposed Intermunicipal Development Plan.

by Eli J. Ridder

Officials unveil proposed regional blueprint for Medicine Hat, Cypress and Redcliff

Our Community