Medicine Hat council advances recreation, housing and water initiatives

The City will also explore provincial, federal and other funding opportunities to help pay for the future recreation amenities.

Planning work will continue in the Brier Run area, including confirming the area structure plan, completing an outline plan and conducting functional servicing studies.

Council also directed administration to continue exploring near-term recreation opportunities with regional and community partners to address emerging needs and capacity pressures.

As part of the longer-term planning process, the City will develop a comprehensive Recreation Facilities for the Future Framework, along with a list of projects to guide future facility investments, priorities and service delivery decisions.

Council had a lengthy discussion about the projects, with several potential amendments defeated before the original motion passed.

A budget of $3.9 million was approved by the previous council. The current council seeks to reduce that spending by $1 million, while undertaking the steps outlined in the initiative.

Several councillors highlighted the need to move forward with the proposed steps to be taken serious when being consideration for provincial funding for the projects.

Coun. Bill Cocks says that Medicine Hat needs to move ahead with new recreation facilities as existing amenities face growing pressure. He adds that the projects respond to more than just public demand.

“I think there is a need, there’s a desire, but I think it’s more than a want,” Cocks said.

“Our facilities are under pressure. They’re well used.”

The removal of two baseball diamonds near Monsignor McCoy High School was highlighted during the meeting as something that has increased demand for additional diamonds.

Cocks said the City needs to balance moving projects forward with developing a broader long-term recreation plan.

“We’re going to get our teeth right into the Facilities for the Future and look at what needs to be abandoned in terms of current facilities and where we need to put some new direction,” Cocks said.

When asked if the new recreation amenities could help attract residents and support economic development.

Cocks said it an economic development box that you might want to tick.

A resolution sponsored by Coun. Chris Hellman on the Protection of Water, Source Water, and Water Quality gained unanimous support from Council.

The resolution directs administration to continue its work on the City’s Water Management and Adaptation Strategy, including consideration of drought and flood resilience, stormwater quality, water quality risks and infrastructure reliability.

It also asks the Mayor to send a letter to provincial and federal officials calling for transparent, evidence-based assessments and consultation with downstream municipalities when decisions involving upstream activities could affect water resources.

An item added to the agenda before adoption is the appointment of the City Manager. Joe Hutter, who has held the role in an interim capacity since January, will fill the role permanently starting Sept. 15.

Council voted unanimously to support his appointment.

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READ: City of Medicine Hat makes Hutter’s Interim City Manager role permanent (Sept. 9, 2026)

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Council approved an updated policy governing health and safety in the City workplace.

Council approved Health and Safety Policy 8052-2026 and rescinded the previous Health, Safety and Environmental Policy 8002.

Administration recommended replacing the existing policy to bring it in line with current legislation, the City’s organizational structure and its operational practices.

The updated policy focuses specifically on workplace health and safety. Environmental provisions were removed because the City’s Environmental Framework, adopted in 2024, now addresses environmental commitments and resilience objectives.

The new policy replaces the previous framework and is intended to provide a current foundation for the City’s health and safety practices.

Council has approved updated policies aimed at strengthening cybersecurity and responsible technology use across the municipal organization.

Council approved Cybersecurity Policy 0194-2026 and Information Technology Acceptable Use Policy 0195-2026, while rescinding the previous Cybersecurity Policy 0164 and Acceptable Use Policy 0163.

The City says both policies have been modernized to reflect current cybersecurity risks, digital governance expectations and operational needs.

Together, the policies establish an updated governance and compliance framework intended to better protect the city’s information assets and address emerging cyber threats.

The acceptable-use policy also provides expectations for responsible and consistent use of technology across the organization.

The City says the updated policies will help strengthen its approach to cybersecurity while supporting the safe and appropriate use of digital tools by employees.

Council passed all three readings of a bylaw designating the Baker-Spalding Block at 515A North Railway Street S.E. as a municipal historic resource.

A separate recommendation to begin the process to designate the Cypress Club at 218 6 Avenue S.E. as a municipal historic resource has started. A bylaw can now be brought forward after 60 days to continue the process. The building is already a provincial historic resource.

The Cypress Club is Medicine Hat’s first purpose-built social club and was established to serve the city’s business, political, and ranching communities.

The City says for over a century the club has remained an important social and networking institution, reflecting the role such clubs played in fostering community leadership, business development, and social connections in a growing prairie city.

Three separate rezoning applications had first reading approved by Council.

The first application involves two lots at 22 Sierra Green SW, in a neighbourhood that is already primarily zoned R2, or neighbourhood residential.

The property is among the remaining undeveloped lots in the area, and the applicant Jayco Builders Inc. is proposing to build row housing with four units.

Councillors were told the change would have only a limited impact on the density originally planned for the neighbourhood.

Another was to rezone 535 16th Street S.W., the site of the Ranchmen Hotel, from a regional commercial special-use district to an R2 neighbourhood residential district.

The owner is looking to convert the hotel into apartments and retain the existing Ranchmen Hotel sign.

Coun. Ted Clugston said the owner is pursuing the rezoning to qualify for available government housing funding.

The property is currently being used for longer-term stays, although it is still zoned for hotel use.

A third application involves 855 Gershaw Drive S.W., the site of the Sun Dek Motel.

The owner is also looking to convert the property into long-term, low-income housing.

The applicant also requires the zoning change to qualify for additional levels of government funding.

The applications will proceed through the remainder of the municipal approval process before any final zoning changes.

Council postponed the second and third readings of a bylaw set to replace the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board to their next meeting on Sept. 21.

Public engagement on the proposed Riverside Corridor Enhancement Project has wrapped up, with a recommendation on the corridor’s design expected to go before Medicine Hat City Council this fall.

The What We Heard Report was presented during Tuesday’s meeting.

The City says the engagement process showed strong community interest in the future of Riverside, although opinions varied on elements of the proposed design.

Engagement included meetings with Riverside Community Connect leaders, one-on-one discussions with 13 local businesses and organizations, four open houses and door-to-door outreach to more than 220 households along Third Street North.

The four open houses generated more than 300 discussions, while door-to-door outreach resulted in more than 30 conversations.

The City says residents consistently expressed a desire to improve the corridor while ensuring it continues to serve the neighbourhood into the future.

Concerns with reducing the width of the roadway was a common feedback theme.

A detailed survey was also used to gather feedback on specific design elements and better understand how residents and other participants use and connect with the area.

With public engagement now complete, city administration will bring a recommendation on the corridor design to council for a decision this fall.

Coun. Cocks said that he has learned during his time as a lawyer that your reputation is everything, and once you lose it, it’s hard to get back.

Adding that the mistakes made with the Division Avenue Project have led to the lack of trust.

Early in the meeting, as part of Councillor announcements, Coun. Dan Reynish spoke about the Prostate Cancer Awareness Group, which attended the meeting wearing special shirts in honour of the cause. They are also a support group.

Mayor Clark had officially proclaimed September as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month last Thursday.

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The Prostate Cancer Awareness Group attended the City Council Meeting on Sept. 8. 2026. (Image Credit: Jesse Gill/CHAT News)

Reynish also highlighted the Terry Fox Run coming up on Sept. 20.

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READ: Annual Terry Fox Run returns to Medicine Hat College Sept. 20 (Aug. 24, 2026)

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Coun. Cocks used his announcement time to talk about the tariff war between the United States and Canada and its impact.

Coun. Yusuf Mohammed talked about the physician retention group and spoke on welcoming a pair of doctors to the community recently.

Coun. Stuart Young attended the Sepak Tekraw National Tournament hosted in Medicine Hat over the past weekend. He congratulated the Medicine Hat team for winning the event.

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READ: Medicine Hat Team B captures national Sepak Takraw championship on home court (Sept. 8. 2026)

by Jesse Gill

Medicine Hat council advances recreation, housing and water initiatives

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