At their regular meeting on Jan. 26th, Council passed a resolution to support Lacombe County’s application for the recently announced Alberta Community Partnership – Intermunicipal Collaboration Grant for construction of the Trans Canada Trail (TCT) in the amount of $350,000.
“This initiative further solidifies council’s desire to continue working collaboratively with our regional partners to enhance programs and services for residents throughout the region,” said Mayor Steve Christie.
“The City of Lacombe partners where possible with Lacombe County to extend municipal services to a regional population,” said Chief Administrative Officer Norma MacQuarrie. “We work collaboratively to ensure our internal municipal trail systems link with regional trails to provide the local segment of the TCT system. The most recent example is the south leg of Lacombe’s trail system connecting to Blackfalds through the Lacombe Research Station lands.”
The grant funds will be used to augment construction costs associated with the north leg of the TCT, said Community Services Director Brenda Vaughan. “Lacombe County is the managing partner for this submission, and we will negotiate with them to share in the proceeds at some level. Possible cost sharing formulas will be explored once costing for the trail construction is known.”
The TCT network has a goal of being completed in time to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday in July 2017.
On a related note, Council fully endorsed the regional Lacombe Sports and Leisure Complex renovation project in partnership with Lacombe County, and endorsed the City of Lacombe’s application for an Alberta Community Partnership – Intermunicipal Collaboration Grant program in the amount of $350,000, which will be used to augment construction costs associated with the facility upgrade and expansion project. The City will be the managing partner for this grant submission.
“The Alberta Community Partnership Grant Program contains specific provision for upgrades or expansion of facilities where efforts result in expanded levels of services or reduces safety issues for the community,” said Vaughan. “The arena renovation project appears to align with these criteria.”
Grant applications are due on Feb. 5th and require resolutions from partnering municipalities. Lacombe County council will consider supporting the City’s grant application on Jan. 28th.
-submited by the City of Lacombe