Lethbridge
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2008-07-15T19:25:04Z
Kmsiever
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/* See also */ removed link previous editor overlooked
{{otheruses4|the city in Alberta, Canada|other uses|Lethbridge (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox Settlement
|native_name =
|official_name = City of Lethbridge
|nickname =
|image_skyline = Lethbridge downtown.jpg
|imagesize =
|image_caption = Downtown Lethbridge as seen on 4 Avenue south facing west
|image_flag = Flag of Lethbridge.svg
|flag_size = 125px
|image_shield = Lethbridge-coat.gif
|shield_size =125px
|image_dot_map =Division No. 2, Alberta Location.png
|dot_mapsize =
|dot_map_caption =Location census division number 2, Alberta, Canada.
|dot_x =119 |dot_y =281
|pushpin_map =
|pushpin_label_position =
|pushpin_map_caption =
|pushpin_mapsize =
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = {{CAN}}
|subdivision_type1 = [[Provinces and territories of Canada|Province]]
|subdivision_name1 = {{AB}}
|subdivision_type2 = [[List of regions of Canada|Region]]
|subdivision_name2 = [[Southern Alberta]]
|subdivision_type3 = [[Census divisions of Alberta|Census division]]
|subdivision_name3 = [[Division No. 2, Alberta|2]]
|subdivision_type4 =
|subdivision_name4 =
|established_title = Incorporated
|established_date = 1906
|area_total_km2 = 127.19
|area_metro_km2 = 2,975.59
|area_metro_sq_mi = 1,148.88
|population_total = 83,960
|population_as_of = 2008
|population_rank = 46th
|population_density_km2 = 607.0
|population_metro = 95,196
|population_density_metro_km2 = 32
|population_density_metro_sq_mi = 82.86
|latd=49 |latm=41 |lats=39 |latNS=N
|longd=112 |longm=49 |longs=58 |longEW=W
|elevation_m = 910
|leader_title2 =[[Members of the Canadian House of Commons|MP]]
|leader_name2 = [[Rick Casson]] ([[Conservative Party of Canada|Cons.]])
|leader_title3 = [[Legislative Assembly of Alberta|MLAs]]
|leader_name3 = [[Greg Weadick]] ([[Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta|P.C.]]), </br>[[Bridget Pastoor]] ([[Alberta Liberal Party|Lib.]])
|leader_title2 =[[Members of the Canadian House of Commons|MP]]
|leader_title =Mayor
|leader_name = [[Robert D. Tarleck]]<br /><small>([[List of mayors of Lethbridge, Alberta|Past mayors]])</small>
|leader_name4 = Garth Sherwin
|leader_title4 = City Manager
|leader_title1 =Governing body
|leader_name1 = [[Lethbridge City Council]]
|time_zone = Mountain (UTC-7)
|postal_code_type = Postal code span
|postal_code = [[List of T Postal Codes of Canada|T1H to T1K]]
|area_code = [[Area code 403|403]]
|blank_name =Highways
|blank_info =[[Alberta Highway 3|Highway 3]], [[Alberta Highway 4|4]], [[Alberta Highway 5|5]], [[Alberta Highway 25|25]]
|blank1_name =Waterways
|blank1_info =[[Oldman River]]
|footnotes =
|website =[http://www.lethbridge.ca/ City of Lethbridge]
}}
'''Lethbridge''' ({{pronEng|ˈlɛθbrɨdʒ}}) is a city in the province of [[Alberta]], [[Canada]], and the largest city in [[southern Alberta]]. It is Alberta's fourth-largest city by population after [[Red Deer, Alberta|Red Deer]], [[Calgary]] and [[Edmonton]] and the third-largest by area after Calgary and Edmonton. The nearby [[Canadian Rockies]] contribute to the city's cool summers, mild winters, and [[Chinook wind|windy climate]]. Lethbridge lies southeast of Calgary on the [[Oldman River]].
Lethbridge is the commercial, financial, transportation and industrial centre of southern Alberta. The city's economy developed from [[drift mining]] for coal in the late 19th century and [[agriculture]] in the early 20th century. Half of the workforce is employed in the health, education, retail and hospitality sectors, and the top five employers are government-based. The only university in Alberta south of Calgary is in Lethbridge, and two of the three colleges in southern Alberta have campuses in the city. Cultural venues in the city include performing art theatres, museums and sports centres.
==History==
{{main|History of Lethbridge}}
Before the 19th century, the Lethbridge area was populated by several [[First Nations]] at various times. The [[Blackfoot]] referred to the area as ''Aksaysim'' ("steep banks"), ''Mek-kio-towaghs'' ("painted rock"), ''Assini-etomochi'' ("where we slaughtered the Cree") and ''Sik-ooh-kotok'' ("coal"). The [[Tsuu T'ina Nation|Sarcee]] referred to it as ''Chadish-kashi'' ("black/rocks"), the [[Cree]] as ''Kuskusukisay-guni'' ("black/rocks"), and the [[Nakoda (people)|Nakoda]] (Stoney) as ''Ipubin-saba-akabin'' ("digging coal").<ref name="Ellis" />
After the US Army stopped alcohol trading with the [[Blackfeet Indian Reservation|Blackfeet Nation]] in [[Montana]] in 1869, traders [[John Healy|John J. Healy]] and Alfred B. Hamilton started a whiskey trading post at Fort Hamilton, near the future site of Lethbridge. The post's nickname became [[Fort Whoop-Up]].<ref name="Ellis">{{cite web |url=http://www.lethbridge.ca/home/Enjoying+Lethbridge/Picture+Gallery/Short+History.htm |title=A Short History of Lethbridge, Alberta| author=Greg Ellis |month=October |year=2001 |accessdate=2007-01-17}}</ref> The whiskey trade led to the [[Cypress Hills massacre]] of many native [[Assiniboine]] in 1873. The [[Royal Canadian Mounted Police|North West Mounted Police]], sent to stop the trade and establish order,<ref name="Ellis"/> arrived at Fort Whoop-Up on [[9 October]] [[1874]]. They managed the post for the next 12 years.<ref name="Ellis"/>
Lethbridge's economy developed from [[drift mining|drift mines]] opened by [[Nicholas Sheran]] in 1874 and the [[North Western Coal and Navigation Company]] in 1882. North Western's president was [[William Lethbridge]], from whom the city derives its name.<ref>{{cite web |title=Indian Battle Park |publisher=City of Lethbridge
|url=http://www.lethbridge.ca/home/City+Hall/Departments/Parks+-+Pathways+-+Trails/Major+Parks/Indian+Battle+Park/Indian+Battle+Park.htm |accessdate=2007-02-16}}</ref> By the turn of the century, the mines were employing about 150 men and producing about 300 tonnes of coal each day.<ref name="Ellis"/> In 1896, local collieries were the largest coal producers in the [[Northwest Territories]]<ref>[http://www.lethbridge.ca/home/Enjoying+Lethbridge/Picture+Gallery/History+of+Lethbridge/Masonry+Sculptures/Masonry.htm City of Lethbridge website]</ref>, with production peaking during [[World War I]]. After the war, increasing oil and natural gas production gradually replaced coal production,<ref name="Ellis"/> and the last mine in Lethbridge closed in 1957.
The first rail line in Lethbridge was opened on [[28 August]] [[1885]] by the Alberta Railway and Coal Company,<ref name="Ellis" /> which bought the North Western Coal and Navigation Company five years later.<ref>{{cite web |title=Alberta Railway and Coal Company |work=Table of Private Acts (1867 to December 31, 2006), Railways |publisher=Department of Justice Canada |url=http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/privlaw/214797/2525.html |date=2007-01-25 |accessdate=2007-02-16}}</ref> The rail industry's dependence on coal and the [[Canadian Pacific Railway]]'s efforts to settle southern Alberta with immigrants boosted Lethbridge's economy. After the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) moved the [[divisional point]] of its Crowsnest Line from Fort Macleod to Lethbridge in 1905, the city became the regional centre for [[Southern Alberta]].<ref name="Ellis"/> In the mid-1980s, the CPR moved its rail yards in downtown Lethbridge to nearby Kipp, and Lethbridge ceased being a rail hub.<ref>{{cite web |title=Executive Summary |work=Highways 3 & 4, Lethbridge and Area NHS & NSTC, Functional Planning Study, #R - 970 |publisher=Stantec Consulting Ltd. |date=February 2006 |url=http://www.infratrans.gov.ab.ca/INFTRA_Content/docType182/Production/exec_summ.pdf |accessdate=2007-02-16}}</ref>
Between 1907 and 1913, a development boom occurred in Lethbridge, making it the main marketing, distribution and service centre in southern Alberta.<ref name="Ellis"/> Such municipal projects as a water treatment plant, a power plant, a [[Lethbridge Transit|streetcar system]], and [[Exhibition Park (Lethbridge)|exhibition buildings]] — as well as a construction boom and rising real estate prices — transformed the mining town into a significant city.<ref name="Ellis"/> Between World War I and [[World War II]], however, the city experienced an economic slump. Development slowed, drought drove farmers from their farms, and coal mining rapidly declined from its peak.<ref name="Ellis"/> After World War II, irrigation of farmland near Lethbridge led to growth in the city's population and economy. [[Lethbridge College]] (previously Lethbridge Community College) opened in April 1957 and the [[University of Lethbridge]] in 1967.<ref name="Ellis"/>
==Government==
{{See also|Lethbridge City Council}}
[[Image:Lethbridge City Hall.jpg|thumb|right|Lethbridge City Hall]]
Eight aldermen and a [[List of mayors of Lethbridge, Alberta|mayor]] make up the [[Lethbridge City Council]].<ref name="council">{{cite web | title = City Council | publisher = City of Lethbridge | url = http://www.lethbridge.ca/home/City+Hall/City+Council/ | accessdate = 2007-10-15 }}</ref> City voters elect a new government every three years, in October. Lethbridge does not have a [[Ward (country subdivision)|ward system]], so voters choose all eight aldermen.<ref name="council" /> The City of Lethbridge has an operating budget of [[Canadian dollar|C$]]200 million, more than half of which comes from [[property tax]].<ref>[http://www.lethbridge.ca/NR/rdonlyres/DDEC3079-A129-49FD-AF56-EAB1E41CBDEB/4462/BudgetPresentation0608BudgetOverview.pdf 2006–2008 Preliminary Operating Budget Overview], City of Lethbridge</ref> One Member of Parliament (MP) representing [[Lethbridge (electoral district)|Lethbridge]] sits in the [[Canadian House of Commons|House of Commons]] in [[Ottawa]], and two members of Alberta's [[Legislative Assembly of Alberta|legislative assembly]] (MLAs), representing [[Lethbridge East]] ([[Alberta Liberal Party|Liberal]]) and [[Lethbridge West]] ([[Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta|PC]]), sit in the legislative assembly in Edmonton.
Traditionally, political leanings in Lethbridge have been [[Right-wing politics|right-wing]]. Federally, from 1917 to 1930, Lethbridge voters switched between various federal parties,<ref name="elect1914">{{cite web | title = LETHBRIDGE, Alberta (1914 - 1977) | work = History of Federal Ridings since 1867 | publisher = Parliament of Canada | url = http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/process/house/hfer/hfer.asp?Language=E&Search=Det&Include=Y&rid=394 | accessdate = 2007-10-15 }}</ref> but from 1935 to 1957, they voted [[Social Credit Party of Canada|Social Credit]] in each election.<ref name="elect1914" /> [[Progressive Conservative Party of Canada|Progressive Conservatives]] held office from [[Canadian federal election, 1958|1958]] until [[Canadian federal election, 1993|1993]], when the [[Reform Party of Canada]] was formed.<ref name="elect1914" /><ref>{{cite web | title = LETHBRIDGE--FOOTHILLS, Alberta (1977 - 1987) | work = History of Federal Ridings since 1867 | publisher = Parliament of Canada | url = http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/process/house/hfer/hfer.asp?Language=E&Search=Det&Include=Y&rid=395 | accessdate = 2007-10-15 }}</ref><ref name="elect1987">{{cite web | title = LETHBRIDGE, Alberta (1987 - ) | work = History of Federal Ridings since 1867 | publisher = Parliament of Canada | url = http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/process/house/hfer/hfer.asp?Language=E&Search=Det&Include=Y&rid=917 | accessdate = 2007-10-15 }}</ref> The Reform party and its various subsequent incarnations have dominated the polls since.<ref name="elect1987" />
==Geography and climate==
{{See also|List of neighbourhoods in Lethbridge}}
[[Image:Lethbridge south alberta.gif|thumb|right|300px|Map of southern Alberta]]
The city of Lethbridge is located at 49.7° north [[latitude]] and 112.833° west [[longitude]] and covers an area of {{km2 to mi2|127.19|precision=2|spell=commonwealth|wiki=yes}}. The city is divided by the [[Oldman River]]; its valley has been turned into one of the largest [[Oldman River valley parks system|urban park systems]] in [[North America]] at {{convert|16|km2|acre|-2}} of protected land.<ref>{{cite web |title=2007 National Fair Program Preview |work=Historica Fairs |publisher=Historica |url=http://www.histori.ca/fairs/default.do?page=.main_ob§ion=fairs&rinfo=sb_sas&cont=overview |accessdate=2007-02-16 }}</ref> The city is Alberta's fourth largest by population after [[Calgary]], [[Edmonton]], and [[Red Deer, Alberta|Red Deer]]. It is the third largest in area after Calgary and Edmonton and is near the [[Canadian Rockies]], 210 kilometres (130 miles) southeast of Calgary.
[[Image:Lethbridge map.gif|thumb|left|200px|Map of Lethbridge]]
Lethbridge is split into three geographical areas: north, south and [[West Lethbridge|west]]. The Oldman River separates West Lethbridge from the other two while the [[Crowsnest Highway]] and the [[Canadian Pacific Railway]] rail line separate North and South Lethbridge.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ellis |first=Faron |title=Alberta Provincial Election Study |publisher=Citizen-Society Research Lab |date=November 2004 |url=http://www.lethbridgecollege.ab.ca/pdf/csrl/Fall2004ProvincialElectionII.pdf |accessdate=2007-02-16}}</ref> The newest of the three areas, West Lethbridge (pop. 29,673)<ref name="census" /> is home to the [[University of Lethbridge]]. Much of the city's recent growth has been on the west side, and it has the youngest median age of the three. The north side (pop. 24,514)<ref name="census" /> was originally populated by workers from local coal mines. It has the oldest population of the three areas, is home to multiple industrial parks and includes the former town of Hardieville, which was annexed by Lethbridge in 1978.<ref>{{cite web |title=William Duncan Livingstone Hardie |publisher=Alberta Online Encyclopedia |url=http://www.coalking.ca/people/profiles/lethbridge_hardie.html |accessdate=2007-03-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Hardieville/Legacy Ridge/Uplands Area Structure Plan |publisher=UMA Engineering Ltd. |url=http://www.lethbridge.ca/NR/rdonlyres/14B6DC79-C738-45A5-9EF7-FBA035DDCDA4/442/HardievilleLegacyRidgeUplandsASP.pdf |accessdate=2007-08-14}}</ref> South Lethbridge (pop. 29,773)<ref name="census" /> is the commercial heart of the city. It contains the [[Downtown Lethbridge|downtown core]], the bulk of retail and hospitality establishments, and the [[Lethbridge College]].
===Climate===
Lethbridge has a moderate continental climate with an average maximum temperature of 12.3 °[[Celsius|C]] (54.1 °[[Fahrenheit|F]]) and an average minimum temperature of −1.0 °C (30.2 °F). With an average precipitation of 386.3 millimetres (15.21 in) and 264 dry days on average, Lethbridge is the second driest city in Canada.<ref name="winners" /> On average, Lethbridge has 116 days with wind speed of 40 km/h (25 mph) or higher, ranking it as the second city in Canada for such weather.<ref name="winners">[http://www.on.ec.gc.ca/weather/winners/intro-e.html Weather Winners], Environment Canada. Accessed [[26 December]] [[2006]].</ref>
Its high elevation of 929 metres (3,048 ft) and close proximity to the Rocky Mountains provides Lethbridge with cooler summers than other locations in the Canadian prairies.<ref name="bus-inv-profile">[http://www.chooselethbridge.ca/media/publication_1.pdf Business Investment Profile 2005/2006], Economic Development Lethbridge. 2005. Accessed 7 November 2006.</ref> These factors protect the city from strong northwest and southwest winds and contribute to frequent [[chinook wind]]s during the winter. Lethbridge winters have the highest temperatures in the prairies, reducing the severity and duration of winter cold periods and resulting in fewer days with snow cover.<ref name="chamber">[http://lethbridgechamber.com/community.php Community Profile], Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce. Accessed [[24 December]] [[2006]].</ref>
====Weather averages====
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0 auto; line-height:normal;"
|-
! Month
! abbr="Record Low" | Record<br />Low (°C)
! abbr="Average Low" | Average<br />Low (°C)
! abbr="Average Temperature" | Average<br />Temp (°C)
! abbr="Average High" | Average<br />High (°C)
! abbr="Record High" | Record<br />High (°C)
! abbr="Rainfall" | Average<br />Rainfall (mm)
! abbr="Snow" | Average<br />Snow (cm)
|- align=right
!January
|−42.8 ([[Jan 3]], [[1950]])||−13.8||−7.8||−1.8||16.7 ([[Jan 19]], [[1944]])||0.1||21.9
|- align=right
!February
|−42.2 ([[Feb 9]], [[1939]])||−10.7||−4.6||1.5||21.8 ([[Feb 27]], [[1992]])||0.4||13.5
|- align=right
!March
|−38.0 ([[Mar 8]], [[2002]])||−6.5||−0.2||6.0||26.8 ([[Mar 30]], [[2004]])||1.4||25.5
|- align=right
!April
|−25.6 ([[Apr 11]], [[1940]])||−0.9||6.0||12.9||31.1 ([[Apr 28]], [[1939]])||16.1||16.3
|- align=right
!May
|−11.7 ([[May 1]], [[1954]])||4.2||11.3||18.2||34.2 ([[May 30]], [[1986]])||49.4||4.0
|- align=right
!June
|−1.7 ([[Jun 1]], [[1951]])||8.6||15.5||22.3||38.3 ([[Jun 23]], [[1941]])||63.0||0.0
|- align=right
!July
|0.9 ([[Jul 16]], [[1999]])||10.5||18.0||25.5||39.4 ([[Jul 10]], [[1973]])||47.5||0.0
|- align=right
!August
|−1.0 ([[Aug 25]], [[1992]])||10.0||17.7||25.4||38.9 ([[Aug 3]], [[2001]])||45.1||0.8
|- align=right
!September
|−9.4 ([[Sep 25]], [[1972]])||5.1||12.6||20.1||36.7 ([[Sep 3]], [[1950]])||37.6||2.1
|- align=right
!October
|−26.7 ([[Oct 31]], [[1984]])||0.0||7.0||14.0||31.7 ([[Oct 4]], [[1943]])||8.8||10.4
|- align=right
!November
|−34.7 ([[Nov 21]], [[1996]])||−7.2||−1.5||4.3||22.8 ([[Nov 6]], [[1949]])||1.2||17.3
|- align=right
!December
|−42.8 ([[Dec 29]], [[1968]])||−12.0||−6.2||−0.2||19.6 ([[Dec 30]], [[1984]])||0.5||18.8
|- align=right
!Year||−42.8 ([[Dec 29]], [[1968]])||−1.76 ||5.65||12.35 ||39.4 ([[Jul 10]], [[1973]]) ||271.1 ||130.6
|}
====Weather records====
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0 auto; line-height:normal;"
!Type
!Record
!Date
|-
!Hottest temperature
| 39.4 °C (103 °F) || [[July 10]], [[1973]]
|-
!Coldest temperature
| −42.8 °C (-45 °F) || [[January 3]], [[1950]]
|-
!Hottest [[humidex]]
| 40.9 °C (106 °F) || [[July 11]], [[2002]]
|-
!Coldest windchill
| −55.7 °C (−68 °F) || [[December 28]], [[1968]]
|-
!Most rain in one day
| 85.4 mm (3.36 in) || [[May 23]], [[1980]]
|-
!Most snow in one day
| 55.1 cm (21.7 in) || [[September 21]], [[1968]]
|-
!Deepest snow cover
| 86.0 cm (34 in) || [[April 30]], [[1967]]
|-
!Highest sustained wind
| 121 km/h (75 mph) || [[November 19]], [[1962]]
|-
!Highest wind gust
| 171 km/h (106 mph) || [[November 19]], [[1962]]
|-
!Highest solar radiation
| 17.4 RF4 || [[July 14]], [[1975]]
|}
==Economy==
{{main|Economy of Lethbridge}}
Lethbridge is southern Alberta's commercial, distribution, financial and industrial centre (although [[Medicine Hat, Alberta|Medicine Hat]] plays a similar role in southeastern Alberta). It has a trading area population of 275,000, including parts of [[British Columbia]] and [[Montana]],<ref name="bus-inv-profile"/> and provides jobs for up to 80,000 people who commute to the city from a radius of 100 kilometres (60 mi).<ref name="bus-inv-profile"/>
Lethbridge's economy has traditionally been agriculture-based; however, it has diversified in recent years. Half of the workforce is employed in the health, education, retail and hospitality sectors,<ref name="stats"/> and the top five employers are government-based.<ref>[http://www.chooselethbridge.ca/choosebusiness/workforce_6.jpg Major employers of Lethbridge - 2005], Economic Development Lethbridge, accessed 2 August 2006</ref> Several national companies are based in Lethbridge. From its founding in 1935, Canadian Freightways based its head office there until moving operations to Calgary in 1948, though its call centre remains in Lethbridge.<ref>[http://cf.cfmvmt.com/web/cf/cfwebsite.nsf/AllDoc/70F6E63C8217F0BB87256ED0007FC357?OpenDocument Company History], Canadian Freightways. Accessed [[24 December]] [[2006]].</ref> [[Taco Time|Taco Time Canada]] was based in the city from 1978–1995 before moving to Calgary.<ref>[http://www.tacotimecanada.com/aboutus.php Company History], Taco Time Canada. Accessed [[24 December]] [[2006]].</ref> Minute Muffler, which began in 1969, is based in Lethbridge.<ref>[http://www.minutemufflerandbrake.com/history.htm The First 30 Years], Minute Muffler & Brake. Accessed [[24 December]] [[2006]].</ref> International [[shipping]] company H & R Transport has been based in the city since 1955.<ref>[http://www.hrtrans.com/about/history.asp Company History], H & R Transport. Accessed [[24 December]] [[2006]].</ref> Braman Furniture, which has locations in [[Manitoba]] and [[Ontario]], was headquartered in Lethbridge from 1991–2008.<ref>[http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/app/ccc/search/navigate.do?language=eng&portal=1&estblmntNo=123456100604&profile=completeProfile Braman Furniture International], Canadian Company Capabilities, Industry Canada. Last Updated: [[2005-11-09]].</ref>
Lethbridge serves as a hub for commercial activity in the region by providing services and amenities. Many [[Transportation in Lethbridge|transportation]] services, including [[Greyhound Lines of Canada|Greyhound]] buses, [[Transportation in Lethbridge#Highways|four provincial highways]], [[Transportation in Lethbridge#Rail service|rail service]] and an [[Lethbridge County Airport|airport]], are concentrated in or near the city. In 2004, the police services of Lethbridge and [[Coaldale, Alberta|Coaldale]] combined to form the [[Lethbridge Regional Police Service]].<ref>[http://www.lethbridgepolice.ca/polcomsn.html Police Commission], Lethbridge Regional Police Service. Accessed [[24 December]] [[2006]].</ref> Lethbridge provides municipal water to Coaldale, [[Coalhurst, Alberta|Coalhurst]], [[Diamond City, Alberta|Diamond City]], Iron Springs, [[Monarch, Alberta|Monarch]], Shaughnessy and [[Turin, Alberta|Turin]].<ref>{{cite news|title = Pipeline Project Flows Along|publisher = Sunny South News|date = 14 March 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title = Monarch to tap into Lethbridge water|publisher = Lethbridge Herald|date = 23 February 2008}}</ref>
In 2002, the municipal government organized ''Economic Development Lethbridge'', a body responsible for promoting and developing the city's commercial interests.<ref>[http://www.chooselethbridge.ca/about/ About Economic Development Lethbridge]. Accessed [[24 December]] [[2006]].</ref> Two years later, the city joined in a partnership with 24 other local communities to create an economic development alliance called ''SouthGrow'', representing a population of over 140,000.<ref>[http://www.southgrow.com/_data/publications/AnnualReport_1.pdf Annual Report 2006], SouthGrow. [[21 June]] [[2006]].</ref> In 2006, Economic Development Lethbridge partnered with SouthGrow Regional Initiative and ''Alberta SouthWest Regional Alliance'' to create the ''Southern Alberta Alternative Energy Partnership''. This partnership promotes business related to alternative energy, including [[wind power]], [[solar power]] and [[biofuel]], in the region.<ref>[http://www.saaep.ca/news_1.php Southern Alberta Economic Development Organizations Partner to Launch Major Alternative Energy Initiative]. Southern Alberta Alternative Energy Partnership news release. [[6 November]] [[2006]].</ref> Economic Development Lethbridge won first place at the Economic Developers Association of Canada 2007 Marketing Canada Awards for its "County of Lethbridge Business Investment Profile 2007–2008".<ref>{{cite press release | title = 2007 Marketing Canada Awards | publisher = Economic Developers Association of Canada | date = 2007-09-17 | url = http://www.chooselethbridge.ca/media/edac.pdf | accessdate = 2007-10-13 }}</ref> In 2007, ''[[Site Selection (magazine)|Site Selection]]'' magazine ranked Economic Development Lethbridge as fourth among Canadian economic development groups for volume of capital investment and job creation.<ref>{{cite press release | title = Lethbridge and Economic Development Lethbridge Ranked in the Top 10’s of National Survey for Best to Invest Canada | publisher = Economic Development Lethbridge | date = 2007-09-04 | url = http://www.chooselethbridge.ca/media/release.php?view=41 | accessdate = 2007-10-13 }}</ref>
==Demographics==
[[Image:Lethbridge 2001 religions.gif|thumb|right|300px|2001 distribution of religions in Lethbridge]]
The population of Lethbridge was 83,960 in 2008.<ref name="census">{{cite web |title=City Population up 2.78 per cent since 2007 |publisher=City of Lethbridge |url=http://www.lethbridge.ca/home/City+Hall/City+Council/Census/default.htm |accessdate=2008-06-19}}</ref> In 2006, the federal census reported a population of 74,637 in the city and 95,196 in the metropolitan area.<ref name="stats2006">[http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/profiles/community/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=4802012&Geo2=PR&Code2=48&Data=Count&SearchText=Lethbridge&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All Lethbridge Community Profile] Statistics Canada. 2007. 2006 Community Profiles. Released 13 March 2007. Last modified: 2007-03-13.</ref> In 2001, Lethbridge had a predominantly white population; only one out of ten people were non-[[Europe]]an.<ref name="stats">[http://www12.statcan.ca/english/Profil01/CP01/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=4802012&Geo2=PR&Code2=48&Data=Count&SearchText=lethbridge&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom= Lethbridge Community Profile] Statistics Canada. 2002. 2001 Community Profiles. Released June 27, 2002. Last modified: 2006-12-14. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 93F0053XIE</ref> Of those, over a third were [[Aboriginal peoples in Canada|aboriginal]], most of whom came from the nearby [[Northern Peigan|Peigan]] and [[Kainai Nation|Kainai]] nations. Of the remaining 63 percent, [[China|Chinese]] and [[Japanese people|Japanese]] made up the largest portion at over 1,200 each.
The most commonly observed faith in Lethbridge is [[Christianity]]. According to the 2001 federal census,<ref name="stats"/> 50,245 residents, representing 76 percent of respondents, indicated they were Christian. Just over 22 percent of Lethbridgians reported no religious affiliation, which was higher than the national average of 16 percent. The number of residents reporting other religions, including [[Buddhism|Buddhists]], [[Muslim]]s, [[Hindu]]s, [[Jew]]s and [[Sikhism|Sikhs]] amounted to nearly 2 percent. For specific denominations, [[Statistics Canada]] reported 14,965 [[Roman Catholic]]s who were well over 22 percent of the population, and 10,235 members of the [[United Church of Canada]] who were about 15 percent of the population. For [[Mormons]], Statistics Canada counted 5,680 adherents of [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]], which was almost 9 percent of the population of Lethbridge at that time; this was significantly higher than the national average of 0.5 percent.<ref>{{cite web | title = Lethbridge | work = Religion (95A), Age Groups (7A) and Sex (3) for Population, for Canada, Provinces, Territories, Census Metropolitan Areas 1 and Census Agglomerations, 1991 and 2001 Censuses - 20% Sample Data | publisher = Statistics Canada | date = [[2007-03-01]] | url = http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census01/products/standard/themes/RetrieveProductTable.cfm?Temporal=2001&PID=55822&APATH=3&METH=1&PTYPE=55440&THEME=56&FOCUS=0&AID=0&PLACENAME=0&PROVINCE=0&SEARCH=0&GC=99&GK=NA&VID=0&VNAMEE=&VNAMEF=&FL=0&RL=0&FREE=0&GID=431636 | accessdate = 2008-02-06}}</ref> Less numerous denominations included 3,605 [[Anglican Church of Canada|Anglican]]s (more than 5 percent of the population), 3,025 [[Lutheran]]s (more than 4 percent), and 2,155 [[Baptist]]s (more than 3 percent).
According to the 2006 census, more than 85 percent of residents spoke [[English language|English]] as a [[first language]]. More than 4 percent spoke [[German language|German]], well over 2 percent spoke [[Dutch language|Dutch]] and almost 1 percent each spoke [[French language|French]], [[Chinese language|Chinese]], and [[Spanish language|Spanish]] as their first language. The next most commonly spoken languages were [[Hungarian language|Hungarian]], [[Polish language|Polish]], [[Ukrainian language|Ukrainian]], [[Japanese language|Japanese]], [[Italian language|Italian]], [[Persian language|Persian]], [[Blackfoot language|Blackfoot]], and [[Tagalog]].<ref>{{cite web | title = Lethbridge | work = Detailed Mother Tongue (186), Knowledge of Official Languages (5), Age Groups (17A) and Sex (3) for the Population of Canada, Provinces, Territories, Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 2001 and 2006 Censuses - 20% Sample Data | publisher = Statistics Canada | date = [[2007-11-20]] | url = http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/topics/RetrieveProductTable.cfm?ALEVEL=3&APATH=3&CATNO=&DETAIL=0&DIM=&DS=99&FL=0&FREE=0&GAL=0&GC=99&GK=NA&GRP=1&IPS=&METH=0&ORDER=1&PID=89201&PTYPE=88971&RL=0&S=1&ShowAll=No&StartRow=1&SUB=701&Temporal=2006&Theme=70&VID=0&VNAMEE=&VNAMEF=&GID=838048 | accessdate = 2008-02-06}}</ref>
==Culture==
{{See also|Festivals in Lethbridge}}
Lethbridge was designated a Cultural Capital of Canada for the 2004–2005 season.<ref>[http://www.pch.gc.ca/progs/ccc/index_e.cfm Cultural Capitals of Canada], Canadian Heritage. Accessed [[24 December]] [[2006]].</ref> The Southern Alberta Ethnic Association (Multicultural Heritage Centre) promotes multiculturalism and ethnic heritage in the community.<ref name="choose-leth-rec"/> The city is home to venues and organizations promoting the arts. Founded in 1957, the Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge is the largest organization in the city dedicated to preserving and enhancing the local arts.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Us |publisher=Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge |url=http://www.artslethbridge.org/ |accessdate=2007-02-16}}</ref> Lethbridge has three major museum/galleries. The [[Southern Alberta Art Gallery]] is a contemporary gallery; the Bowman Arts Centre, administered by the Allied Arts Council, operates three galleries; and the [http://www.uleth.ca/artgallery/ University of Lethbridge Art Gallery] produces contemporary exhibitions including works from its extensive collection of Canadian, American and European art.<ref name="choose-leth-rec">{{cite web |title=Recreation & Leisure |work=Choose Lethbridge |publisher=Economic Development Lethbridge |url=http://www.chooselethbridge.ca/chooselivability/recreation.php |accessdate=2007-02-16}}</ref>
The Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra has been performing in the city since 1960. It has produced spin-off music groups, the Lethbridge Musical Theatre and the Southern Alberta Chamber Orchestra.<ref>{{cite web |last=Nelson |first=Margaret |coauthors=Philip M. Wults |title=Lethbridge, Alta |work=Encyclopedia of Music in Canada |publisher=Historica |url=http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=U1ARTU0002050 |accessdate=2007-02-16}}</ref> Vox Musica is a community choir based at the [[University of Lethbridge]] and has been performing since 1984. Theatrical productions are presented by the University of Lethbridge's theatre department and the New West Theatre, which produces seven shows annually. New West Theatre performs at the [[Genevieve E. Yates Memorial Centre]] using its two theatres: the 500-seat [[proscenium]] Yates Theatre and the 180-seat [[Black box theatre|black box]] Sterndale Bennet Theatre.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Us |publisher=New West Theatre |url=http://www.newwesttheatre.com/aboutus.php |accessdate=2007-02-16}}{{dead link|url=http://www.newwesttheatre.com/aboutus.php|date=December 2007}}</ref>
==Sports and recreation==
[[Image:Henderson Lake.jpg|thumb|right|Henderson Lake]]
Lethbridge has designated 16 percent of the land within city boundaries as parkland, including the 755 hectare (1,865 acre) [[Oldman River valley parks system]].<ref>{{cite web | coauthors = Stantec Consulting| title = Bikeways and Pathways Master Plan | publisher = City of Lethbridge | date = March 2007 | url = http://www.lethbridge.ca/home/City+Hall/Departments/Parks+-+Pathways+-+Trails/Whats+New/What+New.htm | accessdate = 2007-04-28 }}</ref> It has facilities for field sports and [[Henderson Stadium|baseball]], a [[Nicholas Sheran Park|disc golf course]], a skate park, a [[BMX]] track, a [[climbing wall]], a dozen tennis courts, and seven pools. It is home to five golf courses, including the award-winning Paradise Canyon Golf Resort, and is within {{km to mi|30|precision=0|spell=commonwealth|}} of several others.<ref name="choose-leth-rec"/>
Built for the [[1975 Canada Games]], the [[ENMAX Centre]] is Lethbridge's multipurpose arena. The 6,500-seat facility has hosted concerts, three-ring circuses, multicultural events, national [[curling]] championships, basketball events, banquets, skating events and the [[Lethbridge Hurricanes]], a major [[Western Hockey League]] franchise. The arena has a running track, racquetball and squash courts, and a full-size ice rink.<ref>{{cite web |title=ENMAX Centre |publisher=City of Lethbridge |url=http://www.lethbridge.ca/home/City+Hall/Departments/ENMAX+Centre/default.htm |accessdate=2007-02-16}}</ref> An outdoor sports field with capacity for 2,000 people is adjacent to the centre. In 1997, the {{convert|58000|sqft|m2|sing=on}} [[Community Savings Place]] (formerly the Lethbridge Soccer Centre) was built directly south of the ENMAX Centre and added two regulation size indoor soccer pitches to the complex.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lethbridge Soccer Centre |publisher=City of Lethbridge |url=http://www.lethbridge.ca/home/City+Hall/Departments/Leisure+and+Recreation+Services/Other+Recreational+Facilities/Soccer+Centre/Lethbridge+Soccer+Centre.htm |accessdate=2007-02-16}}</ref>
Several winter sports venues are in or near Lethbridge. The city has six indoor ice arenas with a total ice area of 11,220 square metres (120,800 sq ft) and a total seating capacity of 8,149. Other than the ENMAX Centre, all ice surfaces are available from October to April only. Lethbridge is 150 kilometres (90 mi) east of the [[Castle Mountain Resort|Castle Mountain ski resort]].<ref name="choose-leth-rec"/>
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Current amateur teams
|-
! Team !! Sport !! League
|-
|[[Lethbridge Bulls]] || Baseball || [[Western Major Baseball League]]
|-
|[[Lethbridge Hurricanes]] || Hockey || [[Western Hockey League]]
|}
==Major attractions==
[[Image:lethbridge Viaduct.gif|thumb|right|High Level Bridge near downtown Lethbridge]]
The city, which began as a frontier town, has several historical attractions. The [[Lethbridge Viaduct]], commonly known as the ''High Level Bridge'', is a steel trestle bridge. It was completed in 1909 on what was then the city's western edge.<ref>{{cite web | title = High Level Bridge | publisher = City of Lethbridge | url = http://www.lethbridge.ca/home/Enjoying+Lethbridge/Picture+Gallery/Landmarks/High+Level+Bridge/High+Level+Bridge.htm
| accessdate = 2007-10-15 }}</ref> [[Indian Battle Park]], in the [[coulee]]s of the [[Oldman River]], commemorates the last battle between the [[Cree]] and the [[Blackfoot]] [[First Nations]] in 1870.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia | title =Lethbridge | encyclopedia =Encyclopædia Britannica | publisher =Encyclopædia Britannica Online | url =http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9047928 | accessdate = 2007-10-15 }}</ref>
[[Image:Fort Whoop-Up.jpg|thumb|left|Fort Whoop-Up in Lethbridge]]
Originally known as Fort Hamilton, [[Fort Whoop-Up]] was a centre of illegal activities during the late 19th century. It was first built in 1869 by J.J. Healy and A.B. Hamilton as a whiskey post and was destroyed by fire a year later. A second, sturdier structure later replaced the fort.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia | last = Allen | first = Robert | title =Fort Whoop-Up | encyclopedia =The Canadian Encyclopedia | url =http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0002974 | accessdate = 2007-10-15 }}</ref>
As the cultural centre of southern Alberta, Lethbridge has notable cultural attractions. [[Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden]] in south Lethbridge was opened in 1967 as part of a Canadian centennial celebration attended by [[Japan]]’s Prince and Princess [[Prince Takamatsu|Takamatsu]].<ref>{{cite journal | last = Neugebauer | first = Dierk | title = Nikka Yuko - A Special Place | journal = The Journal | publisher = Toronto Bonsai Society | date = January 2003 | url = http://torontobonsai.org/Journal/Journal.2003/jan.2003/nikka.yuko.htm | accessdate = 2007-10-15 }}</ref> [[Galt Museum & Archives]] is the largest museum in the Lethbridge area; the building housing the museum served as the city's main hospital during the late 19th century and early 20th centuries.<ref>{{cite web | title = Our History | publisher = Galt Museum & Archives | url = http://www.galtmuseum.com/aboutus-ourhistory.htm | accessdate = 2007-10-15 }}</ref>
[[Image:Lethbridge skyline 2.jpg|thumb|right|Skyline of downtown Lethbridge]]
Several structures such as the post office are prominent on the skyline of Lethbridge. Less well-known than the High Level Bridge, the post office is one of the most distinctive buildings in Lethbridge. Built in 1912, the four-storey structure is crowned by a functioning clock tower.<ref>{{cite web | title = Buildings | publisher = City of Lethbridge | url = http://www.lethbridge.ca/home/Enjoying+Lethbridge/Picture+Gallery/Buildings/Buildings.htm | accessdate = 2007-10-15 }}</ref> Other prominent buildings include office towers; the water tower, which was originally built in 1958 and sold to a private developer who converted it into a restaurant;<ref>{{cite web | title = Landmarks | publisher = City of Lethbridge | url = http://www.lethbridge.ca/home/Enjoying+Lethbridge/Picture+Gallery/Landmarks/Landmarks.htm | accessdate = 2007-10-15 }}</ref> and the Alberta Terminals grain elevators.
==Education==
The public [[Lethbridge School District No. 51|Lethbridge School District]] and the separate Catholic Holy Spirit Division administer grades [[kindergarten]] through 12 locally. The Palliser School Division, which is based in Lethbridge, administers public primary and secondary education in the outlying areas. The Third Academy private school has a campus in Lethbridge.
Lethbridge is home to [[Lethbridge College]], founded in 1957, and the [[University of Lethbridge]], founded in 1967. [[Red Crow Community College]] has a campus in the city. During the 2003–2004 school year, the University of Lethbridge and the Lethbridge College had a combined enrolment of 14,000, which was 20 percent of the city's population.<ref>[http://www.lethbridge.ca/NR/rdonlyres/D4CEB98B-9F18-4786-870D-84A06E1533FC/310/LethbridgeProfile2003.pdf Lethbridge Profile, 2003–2004], City of Lethbridge</ref>
==Media==
{{Main|Media in Lethbridge}}
==Transportation==
{{main|Transportation in Lethbridge}}
Mass transit in Lethbridge consists of 40 buses (with an average age of 10 years) operating on more than a dozen routes.<ref>{{cite news |date=[[2006-09-09]] |title=Richard keeps the city's buses on the road |publisher=Lethbridge Herald |first=Dave |last=Mabell |language=English |page=A4}}</ref> Traditionally, bus routes in the city started and ended downtown. In the early 21st century, however, [[Lethbridge Transit]] introduced cross-town and shuttle routes, such as [[University of Lethbridge]] to Lethbridge College, University of Lethbridge to the North Lethbridge terminal, and Lethbridge College to the North Lethbridge terminal. Several routes converge near the [[Chinook Regional Hospital]], although it is not officially a terminal.
The Parks and Recreation department maintains the citywide, 30-kilometre (19 mi) pedestrian/cyclist [[Coal Banks Trail]] system ([http://www.lethbridge.ca/NR/rdonlyres/6B643DF7-1C9B-4F0C-BB83-978877550638/0/Regional_Trail.pdf map]). The system was designed to connect the [[Oldman River]] valley with other areas of the city, including Pavan Park in the north, Henderson Lake in the east, [[Alberta Highway 4|Highways 4]] and [[Alberta Highway 5|5]] in the south and a loop in West Lethbridge (including University Drive and McMaster Blvd).<ref>{{cite web |title=Coal Banks Trail |publisher=City of Lethbridge |url=http://www.lethbridge.ca/home/City+Hall/Departments/Parks+-+Pathways+-+Trails/Pathways+and+Trails/Coal+Banks+Trail/Coal+Banks+Trail.htm |accessdate=2007-02-16}}</ref>
Four provincial highways ([[Crowsnest Highway|3]], 4, 5, and [[Alberta Highway 25|25]]) run through or terminate in Lethbridge. This has led to the creation of major arterial roads, including Mayor Magrath Drive, University Drive and Scenic Drive. This infrastructure and its location on the [[CANAMEX Corridor]] has helped make Lethbridge and its freight depots a major shipping destination.<ref name="chamber"/> Lethbridge is 100 kilometres (62 mi) north of the [[United States]] border via Highways 4 and 5 and 210 kilometres (130 mi) south of [[Calgary]] via [[Alberta Highway 2|Highways 2]] and 3. Highways 2, 3 and 4 form part of the [[CANAMEX]] trade route between [[Mexico]], the [[United States]], and Canada.<ref name="chamber"/>
Lethbridge is near the [[Lethbridge County Airport]] and the [[Canadian Pacific Railway|CPR]] rail yards in Kipp, Alberta. The rail yards were moved to Kipp, just west of the city, from downtown Lethbridge in 1983 to make way for commercial expansion.<ref>[http://www.crowsnest-highway.ca/cgi-bin/citypage.pl?city=COALHURST Coalhurst, Alberta : History], The Virtual Crowsnest Highway. Accessed [[26 December]] [[2006]].</ref> The county airport provides commercial flights—to Calgary, Edmonton and other Alberta cities, and to [[Mexico]]—as well as private and charter flights elsewhere. The airport provides customs services for flights arriving from the United States.
==Sister cities==
*[[Image:Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg|25px]] [[Anyang]], [[Henan]] ([[China]])
*[[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px]] [[Culver City, California|Culver City]], [[California]] ([[United States]])
*[[Image:Flag of Russia.svg|25px]] [[Timashyovsk]] ([[Russia]])
*[[Image:Flag of Japan.svg|border|25px]] [[Towada, Aomori]] ([[Japan]])
== See also ==
*[[List of Lethbridgians]]
==Notes==
{{Reflist|2}}
== External links ==
* [http://www.lethbridge.ca/ City of Lethbridge] - Official website for the city
* [http://www.ecdevlethbridge.com/ Economic Development Lethbridge] - Official economic development website
* [http://www.mysouthernalberta.com/leth/ Lethbridge Herald]
* [http://www12.statcan.ca/english/profil01/CP01/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=4802012&Geo2=PR&Code2=48&Data=Count&SearchText=lethbridge&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=48&B1=All Statistics Canada community profile]
* [http://www.lethbridgepolice.ca/ Lethbridge Regional Police Service]
* [http://www.artslethbridge.org/ Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge]
{{Canadian City Geographic Location (8-way)
|North = [[Diamond City, Alberta|Diamond City]]
|Northeast = [[Lethbridge County, Alberta|County of Lethbridge]]
|Northwest = [[Coalhurst, Alberta|Coalhurst]]
|West = [[Fort Macleod, Alberta|Fort Macleod]]
|Center = Lethbridge
|East = [[Coaldale, Alberta|Coaldale]]
|South = [[Welling, Alberta|Welling]]
|Southwest = [[Kainai Nation]] Reserve
|Southeast = [[Stirling, Alberta|Stirling]]
}}
<br/>{{Subdivisions of Alberta}}
{{CoorHeader|49|41|39.0|N|112|49|58.3|W|scale:60000}}
{{Featured article}}
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