Lethbridge Event Centre Faces Police Investigation After Mismanagement Report
A third-party review revealed significant financial and governance issues in the taxpayer-funded Agri-Food Hub and Trade Centre project, prompting city council action and a proposed tax increase.
- A Deloitte Canada review uncovered major mismanagement in the Lethbridge and District Exhibition's oversight of the Agri-Food Hub and Trade Centre project, including unapproved expenses and lack of proper procurement processes.
- The report found that $27 million in additional costs were not communicated to the city until emergency funding was required, leading to a total project cost overrun of $7 million.
- The findings have been referred to the Lethbridge Police Service's Economic Crimes Unit for further investigation, though no additional details about the probe have been disclosed.
- City administration has recommended a 7.34% tax increase for 2025 to address $4.1 million in additional expenses required to keep the facility operational, with council set to vote on the proposal on December 10.
- Since the city assumed governance of the organization earlier this year, the operating deficit has been reduced by $2.4 million, and new management has implemented financial and operational improvements.
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