On Monday, the Lethbridge and District Exhibition (LDE) along with Lethbridge city council announced some major changes for the century old organization.
It started with the exhibition announcing that CEO Mike Warkentin and the LDE mutually agreed to part ways, following his two years in the position.
The LDE shared in a news release that it would begin the process of reorganizing to ensure the continued success of the organization and the Agri-food Hub and Trade Centre.
“Mike Warkentin was the exact leader this organization needed to propel it into the next phase of its history,” said Mark Sayers, president of the LDE board of directors. “His positive energy and progressive vision moved this organization forward and will continue to provide positive effects for generations to come.”
The release then stated that the board would continue to examine the leadership structure needed for future operations.
However, in response to a letter of intent from the Exhibition to Lethbridge city council held a special council meeting which approved initial steps that would pave a new path forward for the Exhibition.
On Monday evening, council passed a resolution to provide emergency interim resourcing to the Exhibition to create what the city is calling “stability and business continuity.”
Lethbridge Mayor, Blaine Hyggen sharing in a press conference on Tuesday that they’re looking to start with a clean slate.
“This is a decision, not a city council, not city, this is Exhibition and city as well together that are going to work together,” said Hyggen.
As part of the resolution, and contingent on the development of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) within the next month, Hyggen explained an interim governance body could replace the board of directors.
“The City of Lethbridge doesn’t disband a board, this board, mutually agreed upon with go that route is this MOU is signed by January 19.”
The new board would be made up of administrative staff from both the City of Lethbridge and Lethbridge County, pending their acceptance.
Which County CAO, Cole Beck said in a statement to Global News, “Lethbridge County supports regional collaboration and recognizes the potential in harnessing our collective strengths for the benefit of the entire community.”
Beck continued, sharing the proposed interim governance body will be brought before the County’s scheduled Council meeting on December 21.
The motion also established that the Exhibition would receive one-time funding in the form of an emergency operating grant of $250,000 immediately from the Municipal Revenue Stabilization Reserve (MRSR). In addition, the city would also set aside up to $950,000 in contingency, held under city control for verified emergent needs.
Additionally, the resolution from Council would subject the Exhibition to an independent third-party review, which includes regular reporting to the Economic & Finance Standing Policy Committee (SPC).
Hyggen continued, “At times, citizens will say, ‘look into this’ and say ‘that money is being spent frivolously here or there and you should look into this’, and so; we’re doing that.”
“We want to make sure that its a transparent process and this review, and its an external review. The City of Lethbridge is not reviewing this, the County isn’t reviewing this, the Exhibition board is not reviewing this.”
“This is going to be a joint agreement to put this forward and have a third party review come in because it’s the way that we’re going to find out when this could be sustainable,” said Hyggen. “Is it in a year, is it in two years, was it something that was built to large for the time?”
He went on to say that the city’s want’s to have the review before any additional investment is put into the building, stating it could take upwards of a year for the full comprehensive report to be complete.
Councillor, Belinda Crowson also spoke at Tuesday’s press conference sharing this is not the first time the city has helped the Lethbridge and District Exhibition.
“I think that everybody knows, that whenever we do anything I hit the history books,” said Crowson. “The Exhibition board in 1920 handed the keys over to the city, and the city created a new board there. We bailed them out numerous times during the great depression. The city has actually run this site previously, city staff maintained the property.”
“During the second world war up until 1947, the city entirely ran it and the city created a new board in 1947. We bailed them out in 1992 again when they were in trouble and here we are again 30 years later. We’ve always fixed the problem together,” shared Crowson.
Crowson, added that the City’s partnership with the Exhibition has always been a benefit to the community.
President of the Lethbridge and District Exhibition Board of Directors, Mark Sayers said in a statement, “We look forward to working together in a spirit of collaboration to create solutions that will benefit the community for years to come.”
At this time, the Exhibition says they will continue to work through their organizational priorities.
The MOU, based on the recommendations provided by council will be developed between the city and Lethbridge and District Exhibition no later than Jan. 19, 2024, subject to city council approval at the Jan. 23 council meeting.