On a typical weekday in the academic year, the halls of Lethbridge Polytechnic – like any other post-secondary institution – are bustling with activity as students shuffle between classes, catch up with friends and congregate in any number of social and study areas. But you might be surprised to learn just how busy campus can be after most students and employees have gone home for the night.
From Kodiaks practices, community fitness classes, karaoke nights and student club meetings to late-night welding tutorials, chess matches and disc golf showdowns, the buzz at Lethbridge Polytechnic is alive and well, long after the sun goes down.
Curious about what happens after hours? Wider Horizons asked a handful of polytechnic employees – who are also talented photographers – to capture the action over a few nights in the winter semester. What they discovered is a great reminder that learning and connection aren’t limited to classrooms or daylight hours; these pursuits thrive in every corner of campus, even after dark.
The squeak of shoes on hardwood is a familiar soundtrack to evenings at the polytechnic as Kodiaks games and practices occupy the Val Matteotti Gymnasium most nights. Adding to the action are second-year Digital Communications and Media students who take the lead on broadcasting select volleyball and basketball home games. Students work behind the scenes operating cameras, switching and directing, and step in front of the cameras for play-by-play and colour commentary. Whether you’re a die-hard Kodiaks fan or just looking for a fun night out, experiencing the energy of live sports is always a great time.
If you stop by the polytechnic on a typical weeknight, you’ll also find Be Fit for Life classes in full swing on the second floor of the Physical Education Building. Regular offerings include Zumba, lift, Pilates, power yoga, and country and western dancing. The fitness centre on the main floor, and the squash and racquetball courts on the lower level, are also well-loved. These spaces are open until 10 p.m. Monday through Friday for anyone wanting to squeeze in a workout. And, if you need relief from a strenuous session, the campus Massage Therapy Clinic is open 5 to 9 p.m. weeknights during the academic year.
The Cave is often pulsing with life, making it one of the busiest spots on campus. By day, it’s a hub for studying and socializing, but as the evening settles in, the vibe shifts into something more energetic. Table tennis draws a crowd, and laughter surrounds the pool tables as players take their turns, sinking shots or scratching. The Lethbridge Polytechnic Students’ Association (LPSA) brings the fun to new heights with karaoke, paint nights, sexy bingo, poker tournaments and plenty of other after-hours events. Whether it’s a casual hangout or a celebration, community members can also rent the venue by reaching out to the LPSA.
Across Centre Core, the hum of conversation fills the Sunflower Room during gatherings of the Community Integration Through Art – Pissatsinaskssini peer support program. The program brings people together for hands-on art sessions – like Indigenous beading, painting and rattle making – and casual chats with elders, knowledge keepers and community members. Sessions are open to everyone; all you need is an openness to building friendships.
If chess is more your style, the Lethbridge Chess Club hosts drop-in games for all levels every Friday night in the Richardson Oilseed Community Room. Campus is the meeting place for a variety of community groups including the Modern Quilt Guild, Centennial Quilt Guild and the River Bottom Writers, who were the first to make the room, in the centre of campus, their creative home.
Lethbridge Polytechnic might appear quiet after dark, but step inside and you’ll find it full of creativity, connection and fun as the campus comes alive in new ways. Curious to see for yourself? Come by sometime. Whatever your pace or passion, there’s room for everyone.
