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Construction and Occupancy With nearly $1 billion in non-residential construction over the past 10 years, it is clear that the construction industry is an important driver of growth in our city and region. Both the capacity and affordability of quality construction in southern Alberta adds to the attraction of new businesses to the region.   The $163 million in construction investment in 2011 is definitely a key contributor to the stable economic climate of southern Alberta. Although there has been a decrease in total building permits since the peak in 2008, Lethbridge experienced record-breaking growth in commercial construction with an impressive increase of 166% year-over-year. And of that $45.7 million in commercial construction, $15.5 million was specific to the commercial growth on the west side of the city. While there was a slight decrease in both industrial and institutional investment from 2010, it is important to note that, at $28.2 million, Lethbridge remained stronger than other comparable cities in the province, and will remain strong with an expected investment of over $850 Million in projects over the next two years. Lethbridge business owners continue to enjoy lower construction and occupancy costs compared to many other communities in North America. In the most recent KPMG Competitive Alternatives study found that Lethbridge remains competitive in terms of cost per acre of industrial land and cost per square foot of facility investment.

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Lethbridge Major Development Projects  Print  PDF  E-Mail  Add Figure A.12 Lethbridge & Region, Major Development Projects Project Outcome Value (in Millions) Expected Completion Commercial Sector $ 258.0   Energy Total $ 258.0     Alberta Wind Energy Corp. Oldman River Wind Farm $ 45.0 2012   Enbridge Inc. Montana - Alberta Transimssion Line (230MW), Lethbridge to Great Falls $ 213.0 2012 Industrial Sector $ 99.5   Agrifood Total $ 39.5     Agropur Cheese Plant Expansion $ 23.0 2011   Richardson International Ltd. Canola Oil Processing Plant Expansion & Lab Facility $ 16.5 2012 Biofuels Total $ 60.0     Bfuel Canada Biodiesel Processing Facility $ 26.0 2013   Lethbridge Biogas LP Biogas and Co-Generation Plant (2.85 MW) $ 10.0 2013   Kyoto Fuels Biodiesel Processing Facility $ 24.0 2011 Institutional Sector $ 494.0   Core Infrastructure Total $ 124.8     City of Lethbridge Scenic Drive North Upgrade $ 19.0 2013   City of Lethbridge Industrial Fleet Building $ 17.8 2012   City of Lethbridge Bridge Drive Utility Corridor $ 17.1 2012   City of Lethbridge Transit Facility Expansion $ 16.4 2014   City of Lethbridge Water Treatment Plant Upgrades $ 14.1 2014   City of Lethbridge Garry Drive Reservoir & Road Extension $ 13.2 2012   City of Lethbridge Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades $ 11.3 2013   City of Lethbridge 43rd Street North Upgrade $ 6.9 2014   Town of Picture Butte Water Pipeline: Lethbridge to Picture Butte $ 9.0 2011 Arts and Culture Total $ 14.4     City of Lethbridge Community Arts Centre $ 14.4 2012 Community Supports Total $ 31.2     All Saints Parish Catholic Church $ 21.0 *2015   Church of Jesus Christ LDS 'Lethbridge Welfare Complex' Office & Warehouse $ 5.2 2011   École La Vérendrye Multi-use Community Centre & Educational Facility $ 5.0 2011 Health Services Total $ 136.5     Alberta Health Services Lethbridge - Chinook Regional Hospital Redevelopment $ 112.7 2015   Alberta Health Services Chinook Regional Hospital Parkade $ 17.5 2011   St. Michaels Health Centre Assisted Living Facility $ 6.3 2011 Post-Secondary, Training & Research Total $ 97.6     Lethbridge College Trades & Technology Building $ 50.0 2012   Lethbridge Research Centre Building 102 Exterior Envelope Replacement $ 8.9 2013   University of Lethbridge Aperture Residential Park Students' Residences Phase 3 $ 32.0 2013   University of Lethbridge Renovations - University Hall $ 6.7 2011 Recreation & Leisure Total $ 76.1     City of Lethbridge Twin Ice Centre $ 26.0 2014   County of Lethbridge Park Lake Road Paving Project $ 6.0 *2014   Enmax Centre Multi-use Arena; Renovations, Upgrades and Expansion $ 33.7 2012   Exhibition Park Infrastructure Upgrades & Replacement $ 5.9 2012   Helen Schuler Nature Centre Expansion & Renovation $ 4.5 2013 Schools Total $ 13.4     Alberta Infrastructure Picture Butte Jr/Sr High School Modernization $ 13.4 2011 Total: Lethbridge & Region, Major Development Projects $ 851.5   Notes i This list is indicative of major projects but is not necessarily comprehensive of all Lethbridge and region activity ii Includes projects valued at $5.0 million or higher iii Categorized by project sector and subsector iv Updated March 2012 * Project has been proposed, but not yet announced nor begun. Sources i Alberta Finance & Enterprise, Inventory of Major Alberta Projects, January 10, 2012 ii City of Lethbridge Capital Improvement Plan 2011-2020 iii Corporate News Releases