LACOMBE, ALBERTA LIVING LIFE WITH BALANCE

WWW.LACOMBE.CA LACOMBE, ALBERTA LIVING LIFE WITH BALANCE acombe, Alberta, which became the province’s 17th city on September 5, 2010, is located in the rolling parkland of central Alberta, be- tween the Rocky Mountain foothills to the Lwest and the flatter Alberta prairie to the east. The city is approximately 16 miles north of Red Deer and 78 miles south of Edmonton. With a wide array of LACOMBE, ALBERTA amenities and facilities, a diverse economy, and an innovative government, Lacombe is a city in balance.

Lacombe is named after Father Albert Lacombe, a French-Canadian Roman Catholic Oblate mission- ary who lived among and evangelized the and Blackfoot of western Canada. The first permanent settler, Ed Barnett, a retired member of the North-West Mounted Police, arrived in 1883. The came to the area in 1891, and by 1893 the downtown blocks and lots were sur- veyed. Village status was granted in 1896, and town status in 1902.

AT A GLANCE LACOMBE, ALBERTA WHAT: : A city of 15,000

WHERE: West of the Rocky Mountains in central Alberta

WEBSITE: www.lacombe.ca

Today, Lacombe is a thriving city with a population approaching 15,000. Its economy includes a strong agricultural base supplemented by the oil and gas industry, the financial services industry, Burnam University – a four-year degree-granting institution, a vibrant healthcare sector and federal and provincial government offices. Lacombe is also home to the La- combe Research Centre (LRC), one of 19 national ag LACOMBE, ALBERTA LACOMBE, ALBERTA

ricultural research centers across Canada. The In fact, last year Lacombe was the recipient LRC, established in 1907, conducts research in of several other awards for city projects and field crops and livestock production relevant to programs. “The first one was our Alberta Urban the region. Municipalities Association Award for sustain- ability and collaboration, which we’re proud to Lacombe is also an award-wining municipality have been nominated for, and actually ended as evidenced by its designation as the 5th best up winning alongside the Town of Blackfalds, place in Canada to live by Money Sense Mag- Lacombe County and the City of Red Deer,” said azine, the country’s leading finance magazine Mayor Creasey.

The award was granted for the construction of the North Red Deer Regional Wastewater Sys- tem, which utilizes the City of Red Deer Waste- water Treatment Plant to eliminate municipal wastewater discharges into the Red Deer River downstream of Dickson Dam and upstream of the City of Red Deer Water Treatment Plant

Father Lacombe

and personal finance website. “They surveyed over 415 cities across Canada, looking to iden- tify the best places to live based on several different categories,” said Mayor Grant Creasey. “Wealth and economy, affordability, population growth, lack of crime, taxes, commuting issues, weather, healthcare access, city amenities, and cultural events. It’s very exciting to have been recognized and ranked so highly.” LACOMBE, ALBERTA

intake. The system deals cost-effectively with excellence in construction, management, and the central Alberta communities’ expanding administration of a public works project in wastewater treatment needs. the five to ten million dollar category,” said Creasey. The Lacombe Main Street Program “It was a large project,” said Creasey. “I think it was also the first project in Alberta to earn came in at $73 million. It’s up and running now and speaks highly toward the commitment to sustainability in our area. It will also allow for future growth for the member communities, which certainly is important. The project also addresses water sustainability. Our regional water supply line removes water from the Red Deer River, and then we send wastewater back for treatment to extremely high standards before it is returned to the watershed. So, it’s a win-win for everyone.”

Another award, granted by the Alberta Chap- ter of the American Public Works Association, was for the recent completion of Lacombe’s Main Street Program. “This award recognized LACOMBE, ALBERTA

also named as a finalist for ISI’s Municipal Innovation Award.

“The award-winning Main Street Program was a redevelopment of our historic down- town,” said Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Matthew Goudy. “Our downtown was actually recognized by the Canadian Planners Institute as the number one street in the country for its history and cultural significance, beating out communities like Edmonton and Canmore for that distinction. It’s the heart of our community and we have made significant investment in it just in the last couple of years.”

“Lacombe Composite High School was named an Envision Award from the Washington, DC- the greenest school in all of Canada by the based Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure Canada Green Building Council during World (ISI). Lacombe won Silver designation for the Green Building Week,” said Mayor Creasey. “The program’s environmental, social, and economic school was awarded for its sustainability pro- benefits to the community. The program was gramming, including its innovative Ecovision LACOMBE, ALBERTA and Environmental clubs that have, over the ious Red Cross programs yearly, ranging from past 15 years, raised funds for a lot of differ- pre-school lessons to Water Safety Instructor ent projects: a solar array, a geodesic tropical courses. Last summer, over 2,500 kids took greenhouse that is used year round, outdoor swimming lessons at the Aquatic Centre. Staff gardens and a very successful urban beekeep- also ran special programs for Lifejacket Day ing program, which helps train local residents and Water Safety Week. in the art. It’s an exciting program, the first of its kind and well-received by the community.” “These awards go across many, many differ- ent facets of our community,” said Creasey. “I’m Lacombe also received a Building Community proud of the work of both staff and volunteers Capacity Award from ChooseWell Alberta for that make many of our programs tick.” improving outdoor play spaces and coordinat- ing various programs, activities, and challenges Meanwhile, Lacombe is not sitting on its lau- throughout the year to promote healthy eating rels; the city has several developments un- and active living. Finally, the Kinsmen Aquatic derway in various stages of completion. “The Centre (KAC) received a Partners in Humanity contract’s out for the servicing of our west area Citation from the Canadian Red Cross. The KAC development that borders Queen Elizabeth II is an indoor swimming facility, built in 1996. Highway, which is the main corridor that runs The Centre trains over 800 individuals in var- north/south through the province,” said Crea- LACOMBE, ALBERTA

sey. “That represents about $15 million worth “Lacombe has also been making some invest- of infrastructure investment, made in collab- ments into its airport, a combined facility with oration with our regional partner Lacombe Lacombe County,” said CAO Goudy. “In recog- County. In addition, we’re looking forward to nition of these upgrades, it’s been renamed as some large commercial and retail growth in the Lacombe Regional Airport. We’re looking that portion of our city. On the east end, we for that to be an economic driver in the future.” recently completed negotiations with a major This project is yet another example of La- Canadian retailer. I am pleased to note that combe’s regional collaboration efforts with our the property sale was successful and we look municipal partners.” forward to some much-anticipated develop- ment in the near future. Growth to the south is With all of its recent awards under its belt, continuing with a new Community Healthcare as well as new projects underway and on the Centre currently under construction. In the drawing board, Lacombe, Alberta is certainly north, we are addressing surface drainage with living up to its tagline: Living life with bal- the addition of a pipeline so we can continue ance! to grow. Underground work is complete, which paves the way for some exciting new seniors PREFERRED VENDOR housing options offered by the Charis Group.” n Alberco Construction www.alberco.com WWW.LACOMBE.CA

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