Lethbridge Community College

The decision to build a junior college in Lethbridge was made official by an announcement from the provincial government on May 10, 1957.

The creation of a junior college was the dream of Lethbridge lawyer, Gilbert Paterson. Paterson was concerned by the amount of money that students had to pay when moving to other communities for their education. Paterson traveled to the U.S. where junior colleges were quite popular. Most American junior colleges offered the first half of a university degree, as well as job training. After 10 years of trying to convince the University of Alberta (which had to authorize the transfer of college classes to the University) and the province (for funding) that Lethbridge needed a college, classes began in a few rooms at the Lethbridge Collegiate Institute, in 1957.

P19752210316-GP, The Lethbridge Community College Campus

The college's space at LCI was always regarded as a temporary one, so, in 1959 the city bought property at the south end of the city and resold the land to the college board for $1. Kate Andrews, the college board's first chair, insisted upon paying the $1 out of her own pocket. However, construction of the new campus was not begun until 1962.

On April 29, 1962, Mayor E.C. Lonnsdale began construction of the new campus with a sod-turning ceremony. The campus began operation in 1963 and today serves over 6000 students a year. The college offers trade certificates, adult education, community education, and has several arrangements with universities for providing pre-university degree courses.