Despite being four kilometres apart, the Agri-food Hub and Trade Centre's shadow loomed large over Lethbridge City Hall in 2024.

A third-party review of the Lethbridge and District Exhibition — which ran the event centre until the city took it over — uncovered significant operational costs that were unaccounted for.

Now, the city's budget will feel the effects of council's decision to keep the centre open without increasing taxes.

Mayor Blaine Hyggen sat down for a year-end interview with the CBC'…