2026 - 2028 Capital Project
A revitalized jewel
A revitalized jewel
in downtown.
Shaping the future of art in our city.
The facility in Galt Gardens is preparing for a massive $7.714 million renovation and expansion. We are modernizing our footprint to ensure a sustainable future for contemporary art in Lethbridge.
"This endeavor will result in a vibrant, safe, and welcoming centre for all to gather, improve social cohesion, and enrich lives."
A Generational Investment in our Downtown Core.
Great cities focus on the quality of life for their citizens. Together with recent City initiatives like Festival Square and the Galt Gardens SW corner landscaping project, this revitalization is a comprehensive investment in our downtown that will do far more than modernize our premier contemporary art space.
The gallery has served as a cornerstone of our community since it originally opened in 1922 as Lethbridge's Carnegie Library. The current $7.714 million redevelopment seeks to unify the building's historical footprint with its modern purpose.
Total Investment
$7.714 Million
Current Status
Breaking Ground
Project Duration
18-24 Months
Anticipated Launch
Mid-2028
Project Timeline
The Pathway to 2028
Assessment & Commitment
Initial needs assessments conducted; City commits foundational CIP funding.
2019–2021
Design & Strategic Pause
Preliminary designs launched. Exercising fiscal responsibility, project paused to successfully pursue $1.7M in matching grants.
Jan 2023
RFQ & Final Funding
City of Lethbridge issues RFQ COL-26-032. Final grant secured via Travel Alberta.
May 2026
Groundbreaking
Anticipated mobilization, site fencing, and start of heavy construction.
Aug 2026
The Reveal
Anticipated reopening of the newly revitalized facility.
2028
The Vision Realized
Exterior Renderings
Explore the DIALOG design concept for our expanded Galt Gardens facility.
The Funding
A collaborative investment.
By leveraging the City's significant municipal commitment, SAAG successfully secured an additional $1.7 million in matching provincial and federal grants.
Total Budget
$7.714M
Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI)
$5.545M
Allocated via City of Lethbridge
Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP)
$1.0M
Government of Alberta
Canada Cultural Spaces Fund (CCSF)
$500K
Government of Canada
Municipal Tax Base
$469K
Direct municipal contribution. With a population of ~113,671, this equates to an investment of just $0.83 per resident, annually over the 5-year project planning cycle.
Product Development Fund
$200K
Travel Alberta
Inside the Vision
Interior Renderings
Explore the DIALOG design concept for our expanded Galt Gardens facility.
Our mandate is hitting the road.
The main facility in Galt Gardens will be completely closed to the public and staff for 18 to 24 months to ensure a safe construction process. However, we remain fully operational at three distinct temporary spaces across the city.
Gallery & Office
SAAG ACADIA
616 3 Ave S
Opens Sept 19Programming Space
SAAG EXPRESS
1409 Mayor Magrath Dr S
Workshops & EducationCo-Presented at LTCC
SAAG x EXCITE
101 Exhibition Way S
Free to ViewEntry-By-Donation & TipTap
Since we will be off-site, we are temporarily moving to an entry-by-donation model. We want our temporary hubs to be welcoming, so we warmly encourage you to contribute whatever amount feels comfortable. For your convenience, SAAG ACADIA and SAAG EXPRESS feature secure, touchless "TipTap" donation stations—allowing you to easily support the gallery in quick $5 denominations with a simple tap.
Transparency Hub
Frequently Asked Questions
Select a category below to explore the official project details.
Our facility in Galt Gardens is undergoing an exciting revitalization and expansion project between 2026 and 2028. The project adds new interior and exterior spaces for programs, events, and public enjoyment, as well as a renovation of select existing interior spaces.
This building is owned by the City of Lethbridge, and the City has collaborated with the Gallery alongside a team led by DIALOG Design to create a shared vision for this vital upgrade to cultural infrastructure and ensure this building meets community needs now and well into the future.
This building is owned by the City of Lethbridge, and the City has collaborated with the Gallery alongside a team led by DIALOG Design to create a shared vision for this vital upgrade to cultural infrastructure and ensure this building meets community needs now and well into the future.
This revitalization is more than just an upgrade to our building; it is a generational investment in Lethbridge’s downtown core and cultural infrastructure. Great cities focus on the quality of life for their citizens, and the arts play a big role in that. Together, with recent initiatives such as Festival Square, the Galt Gardens SW corner landscaping project, and Galt Gardens accessible playground, our project supports a comprehensive investment in our downtown that will enhance our city, and offer new ways for residents and visitors to Lethbridge to experience and connect with one another through the arts.
This project will result in a vibrant, welcoming centre for all to gather, learn, connect, and create—enriching our communities and driving visitation to downtown Lethbridge.
This project will result in a vibrant, welcoming centre for all to gather, learn, connect, and create—enriching our communities and driving visitation to downtown Lethbridge.
The west side of the Gallery’s building is Lethbridge’s first purpose-built library that opened in 1922. This building has served as a public space for arts and culture for over 100 years! The building has been expanded and modified throughout its history to suit its evolving needs. Despite not having heritage status, previous projects have maintained the 1922 building’s original character. The lower level of this building, currently administrative space, will recieve new interior ramps to replace existing stairs and increase accessibility and safety for this back-of-house space.
The planned expansion and overall revitalization project utilizes design strategies that complement the existing building, and preserves the essence of the 1922 structure while adding thoughtful, complementary contemporary spaces.
The planned expansion and overall revitalization project utilizes design strategies that complement the existing building, and preserves the essence of the 1922 structure while adding thoughtful, complementary contemporary spaces.
The design team—led by DIALOG Design, ISL, Altus, artist Faye HeavyShield, and representatives from the City of Lethbridge and the Gallery—has envisioned a stunning addition that activates the full building exterior and maximizes public use of interior spaces. Thoughtful rearrangements of current spaces allow us to make better use of the existing footprint. Key highlights for this project include:
- Improved Gallery: an upgraded Lower Gallery environment to meet Class A gallery standards.
- Catering & Cafe: a welcoming food services area, including a third-party operated cafe and catering kitchen.
- Parkside Connection: an inviting park-side Gallery entrance and patio that opens directly onto Galt Gardens and connects visitors entering through the 3rd Ave entrance directly to the park without having the exit via 3rd Ave.
- Listening Garden: a space for gathering, relaxation, reflection and public art.
- Multipurpose Design: a mixed-use workshop for exhibition-building, programs and events that looks onto a loading dock that moonlights as a stage during special events.
This $7.714M project is made possible through collaborative investment by all three levels of government. Leveraging key provincial and federal grants ensured the vision for the project could be realized while inviting these other levels of government to invest in Lethbridge, minimizing the cost to local taxpayers.
- Canada Cultural Spaces Fund (CCSF) - $500,000. The CCSF supports the improvement of physical conditions for arts, heritage culture and creative innovation.
- Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI) - $5,545,000. The MSI helps support local infrastructure priorities and build strong, safe and resilient communities.
- Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP) - $1,000,000. The CFEP provides support to upgrade, expand, purchase or build public-use community facilities.
- Travel Alberta Product Development Fund - $200,000. The fund supports the construction or purchase of a new tourism-related product, experience or service.
- Municipal Tax Base - $469,000. Direct municipal contribution allocated via the City of Lethbridge.
As the property owner, the City of Lethbridge is serving as the primary project manager. The City will oversee all construction contracts, site management, and invoice approvals, working in close collaboration with the Gallery’s leadership to ensure the final facility meets the Gallery’s operational needs and the design team’s vision. Construction-related inquiries are best directed to 311.
Our home in Galt Gardens will be completely closed to the public for the duration of construction to ensure a safe and efficient building process. However, the Gallery remains fully operational with exhibitions and programs taking place across the city.
We are temporarily relocating our operations to three distinct spaces across the city to ensure contemporary art programming continues uninterrupted:
- SAAG ACADIA (Office & Gallery): 616 3 Ave S (Opening September 19, 2026)
- SAAG EXPRESS (Office & Ancillary Space): 1409 Mayor Magrath Dr S
- SAAG x EXCITE (Co-Presented at LTCC): 101 Exhibition Way S
While we are incredibly grateful for the capital funding that makes this renovation possible, those grants are strictly restricted to construction expenses and cannot be used for our day-to-day operations. As we transition to our temporary hubs, we are also temporarily losing some of our usual funding sources, such as full-scale Shop at SAAG sales and regular admission fees. Your support is what bridges the gap and keeps our core exhibitions and community programs running strong while we build our new home.
As with any construction project, there will be some localized disruption. To ensure public safety, construction hoarding will be erected around the Gallery's footprint in Galt Gardens. The City of Lethbridge will work closely with the contractors and the Gallery to maintain clear, safe pedestrian access through the rest of the park, and mitigate other potential disruptions.
Support The Mandate
Ways to Get Involved
Capital funding is legally restricted to construction. Your donations and memberships are what keep the art on the walls and our community programs running during this transition.
Become a Member
Join our community of art lovers and stay connected to our ongoing programming.
Learn MoreThe Centennial Club
Become a monthly donor! Monthly giving provides reliable support for operations.
Join The ClubMake a Donation
Make a one-time gift to support our transition into the temporary hubs.
Ways To Give