M.D. to provide $30,000 to cardiac centre in Lethbridge

By Rob Vogt
Cardiac services at Chinook Regional Hospital help patients across Southern Alberta, including people in the Municipal District of Willow Creek.
For that reason, M.D. council has agreed to provide $30,000 to a fundraising campaign sponsored by the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation to substantially elevate the standard of cardiac health care at the Lethbridge hospital.
Coun. John Van Driesten brought the request to council, noting a lot of people use these services including, not only people in the M.D., but people sitting in that very room.
He also pointed out this is a one-time contribution.
“This is a way we can help out,” he said.
Council concurred, agreeing unanimously to provide $30,000.
Hockey tournament
Council agreed to provide two promotional item baskets at $100 each, for the raffle table at the upcoming Claresholm Thunder Under-11 home hockey tournament on Jan. 16 to 18, 2026.
Meetings with town councils
Council set dates it will meet with the councils of the towns within the M.D. as follows:
• Town of Claresholm, Feb. 24;
• Town of Stavely, Feb. 25;
• Town of Fort Macleod, March 2;
• Town of Nanton, March 23.
Road closure
Council held a public hearing for a road closure bylaw in Parkland.
There was no written feedback sent to the M.D. and no one attended the public hearing.
Consequently, the bylaw will now go to the minister of transportation and economic corridors for approval. Once returned, council can then consider second and third reading of the bylaw.
Appeal board
Council appointed Gentry Hall; Howard Paulsen; Evert Vandenberg; and Michael Varey to the M.D.’s subdivision and development appeal board.
Weed, pest appeals
Council appointed Paul Roemmele and Dean Hubbard to the M.D.’s weed and pest appeal committee.
Fort Macleod RCMP
Council reviewed correspondence from the RCMP indicating the search is under way for a new sergeant for the Fort Macleod detachment. They will be conducting a community participation interview with the candidate and asked the M.D. for representatives to participate.
Council then appointed Reeve Maryanne Sandberg and Coun. John Van Driesten to participate.
Legal session
Council was advised a virtual emerging trends in municipal law seminar is being held on Feb. 12, and council agreed to register.
They will attend via video conference from the M.D. administration building.
Fees bylaw
Council discussed changes to the fees bylaw and directed administration to prepare an updated fees bylaw, with proposed changes, and bring that draft back to council for discussion.
Closed session
Council went into closed session at the end of its meeting.