South Campus vision was discussed at SACPA meeting

A near-capacity audience at the Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs heard Trevor Lewington outline the University of Lethbridge's proposed 100-acre South Campus development and a long-term, community-informed planning process, with planning, studies and approvals targeted this year and initial construction phases expected next spring.

Trevor Lewington presented “South Campus: How can we Plan for Tomorrow, Together?” to a near-capacity audience at the Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs. He described a proposed 100-acre development south of the University of Lethbridge and west of the Oldman River. Lewington said the project is intended to be a mixed-use community serving both campus and city, and he noted guiding principles shaped by public engagement such as sustainability and flexibility. He emphasized the development is a long-term initiative and that planning will proceed over many years. Key points: - The South Campus lands are a 100-acre area located south of the University of Lethbridge and west of the Oldman River. - The vision is for a mixed-use neighbourhood meant to provide services and amenities for West Side residents and strengthen connections between the university and the city. - Public engagement has informed guiding principles including sustainability, flexibility and accountability, and feedback will continue to shape planning decisions. - Short-term priorities include consultation, technical studies, finalizing a master lease with the university, securing provincial approvals, and completing design and engineering work, with lease agreements and early construction phases expected next spring. - Audience concerns included potential traffic impacts in nearby neighbourhoods and questions from student representatives about funding; Lewington said aside from initial seed money the project is not being funded through tuition and that early loans must be repaid. Summary: The presentation framed South Campus as a long-range, community-focused development that could affect growth on Lethbridge’s West Side. Planning, studies and approvals are planned for this year and initial construction phases are slated for next spring, with continued public engagement expected to inform decisions.