The Lacombe Athletic Park Association (LAPA) is moving forward with plans on their $5 million expansion.
Scott Builders was recently awarded the contract for the Phase 1 Fieldhouse and LAPA expects to hold a groundbreaking in the fall. The Fieldhouse expansion will double the size of the fieldhouse, expand the dressing rooms, provide added restroom facilities and also create added storage.
“The hope is to get going as soon as possible, but it will probably be this fall when we get shovels into the ground,” Jay Adamson, chair of LAPA, said.
The COVID-19 pandemic has made some of the process of the expansion slower than expected, but Adamson said the organization is moving forward and expects to beginning their marketing and fundraising plan for the Phase 2 track and field facilities expected to begin construction in 2021.
“The total cost is just under $5 million, which includes everything we want. With the MEGlobal donation we received, we have all the money for the fieldhouse expansion, so we are now working on the rest that is needed for the track,” he said.
The LAPA Board realizes that the pandemic has put financial strain on families and businesses and that is why they are not starting their fundraising efforts immediately.
“We don’t want to be shaking businesses down when they need to be taking care of themselves and their employees. When we feel it is right to market ourselves a little more, we will definitely do that. We have a plan and that plan is to get the track going next year,” he said.
He added, “We are happy with the way things are going. The park is getting more use now and many organizations are following all of the protocols necessary to use the park.”
todd.vaughan@lacombeexpress.com
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