Business Briefs: St. Mary’s Irrigation District allocates 12 inches per acre, back to normal after drought worries

By Medicine Hat News on April 4, 2025.

@MedicineHatNews

The St. Mary’s Irrigation District has set its initial allocation to members at 12 inches per acre, a return to typical levels after drought worries over the past two years.

The level was announced April 2 at the district’s annual general meeting in Lethbridge at one-acre foot, or 1,200 cubic metres per acre for the coming growing season.

At the same time, the district announced that current storage levels sit at about 85 per cent of its winter target.

The 2023 season began with an allocation of 8 inches per acre but that was raised to nine in June after spring precipitation aided reservoir levels.

The target date to begin water delivery is in the second week of May, subject to weather conditions.

The Eastern Irrigation District has not published its allocation. The Bow River Irrigation District will set its allocation at its AGM on April 16 in Vauxhall.

Helium play

Global Helium says it has sold its well in Montana and will use the proceeds to further projects in Alberta and near Medicine Hat.

The Calgary-based helium explorer says it has received US$300,000 from another helium operator for one standing well and a section of associated mineral rights near Rudyard, Mont.

“The sale is expected to enhance the company’s liquidity while it continues to focus on its core operations in Canada,” reads an April 2 release.

The company announced last summer it had found a helium deposit east of Medicine Hat and was evaluating the potential to develop two wells in southeast Alberta.

The company has a farm-in agreement with oil and gas explorer Perpetual Energy and a joint development agreement with North American Helium in areas north or Swift Current.

Senior housing sale

Sienna Senior Living has completed its purchase of housing facilities in Alberta, including one in Medicine Hat, the Ontario-based company announced Wednesday.

The purchase was announced in October, but required approval by Alberta Health Services, which contracts long-term spaces at the building comprising 540 units, also located in Airdrie, Edmonton and Fort Saskatchewan.

The facility at 1713 Strachan Rd., in Medicine Hat was built in 2022 and operated by Points West Living.

The total purchase price was $181 million, which Sienna Senior living says is being funding by a $150-million loan from Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corp., and cash on hand.

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