Current News Releases

New Blackfalds High School presents an opportunity for review and public input

Wolf Creek Public Schools’ (WCPS) Board of Trustees wants to hear from stakeholders around Blackfalds and Lacombe, as a review of Attendance Boundaries and Grade Configurations in both communities gets underway.

The Alberta Government announced plans for the new 950 capacity high school for WCPS in Blackfalds in March 2020, with the school slated to be completed in September 2024. The opening of a new high school in Blackfalds will have an impact on enrolment at Lacombe Composite High School (LCHS), as currently, high school students from Blackfalds and Clive attend high school at LCHS. This change has spurred the opportunity for the review, which has to balance any potential changes in attendance boundaries with the impact that can have on enrolment and school capacities, as well as areas such as busing.

Public input will be sought online from Feb. 1 to 15. In advance of the online survey, the public can view additional details and background information at: https://letsconnect.wolfcreek.ab.ca/blackfalds-lacombe-grade-configuration-and-boundary-review 

Links will also be available at www.wolfcreek.ab.ca and on school websites.

There are only a few weeks left in 2021, and we are looking back over the highlights of the past 12 months.

2021 Municipal Election Results: The most significant change at Lacombe County happened in October, with the 2021 Municipal Election. Former Reeve Paula Law did not run for re-election, as well as long-time councillors Ken Wigmore and Keith Stephenson. Following the election, Lacombe County welcomed three new councillors: Dwayne West (Division 4), Ken Weenink (Division 5), and Allan Wilson (Division 6). Following the Organizational Meeting, Lacombe County Council appointed Division 3 Councillor Barb Shepherd as Lacombe County Reeve and Division 1 Councillor John Ireland as Deputy Reeve.

Pursuant to Section 194(1)(a) of the Municipal Government Act as Reeve of Lacombe County I hereby call a special council meeting to be held virtually on January 18, 2022 commencing at 9:00 a.m. for the purpose of meeting with the City of Lacombe Council to discuss:

1. The Lacombe Athletic Park Association’s request for the City of Lacombe and Lacombe County support of Phase 2 of the Lacombe Athletic Park expansion project.

Earlier this month, Lacombe County Council adopted the County’s 2022 interim operating and capital budgets. This budget supports the maintenance of existing service levels while managing the County’s spending in a responsible manner that reflects the current economic situation and follows the priorities set out in the County’s Strategic Plan, long-range road construction plan, and capital equipment replacement plan.

“We have faced a number of unique economic challenges over the last few years, including a significant loss in revenue from oil and gas well taxes and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” said Michael Minchin, Director of Corporate Services. “Council voted to approve an interim budget for 2022 that recognizes the challenges and uncertainty in our province while ensuring service levels remain at a high level.”

pdf Consolidated Operating Budget Interim Budget 2022 (114 KB)

pdf Consolidated Capital Budget Interim 2022 (85 KB)

Lacombe County is no longer managing the voluntary Take It Off Program on Gull Lake and Buffalo Lake, as Alberta Environment and Parks has made it mandatory to identify all ice shelters in the province.

All ice fishing shelters that are on the ice for more than 24 hours must be labelled (2.5 cm block letters) with WiN number or name and phone number. Ice fishing shelters must be removed from the ice by March 31.

By identifying your ice shelter you help to ensure that all ice shelters are taken off the lake by the end of the ice fishing season. This helps to protect the environment and ensure the safety of anglers and boaters.

More information is in the 2021 Alberta Guide to Sportfishing Regulations at https://albertaregulations.ca/fishingregs/.

The Lacombe Memorial Centre played host to a Joint Meeting of Council between Lacombe County and the City of Lacombe.

The meeting – and future joint meetings – fosters collaboration and cooperation between the regional partners to achieve efficient results for the residents of both municipalities.

Community presentations from the Lacombe Athletic Park Association and the Lacombe Fish and Game Association were on the agenda at the December 1 meeting.

Lacombe County Reeve Barb Shepherd saw the importance of the two Councils working together to benefit their citizens.

Pursuant to Section 194(1)(a) of the Municipal Government Act as Reeve of Lacombe County, I hereby call a special council meeting on December 1, 2021 at the Lacombe Memorial Centre commencing at 9:00 a.m. for the purpose of meeting with the City of Lacombe Council to hear and discuss presentation from:

1. The Lacombe Athletic Park Association regarding their request for City of Lacombe and Lacombe County support of phase 2 of the Lacombe Athletic Park expansion project; and
2. The Lacombe Fish and Game Association regarding their request for the City of Lacombe and Lacombe County support of their proposal to make improvements to the Len Thompson Fish Pond in partnership with the Alberta Conservation Association and Team Jigger.

During the October 26, 2021 Organizational Meeting, Lacombe County Councillors took the Oath of Office following the Municipal Election on October 18, 2021.

Lacombe County Council appointed Division 3 Councillor Barb Shepherd as Lacombe County Reeve. Councillor Shepherd assumed the Reeve’s Chair after taking the Oath of Office from County Manager Tim Timmons.

“I want to thank my fellow councillors for appointing me as Lacombe County Reeve. There are many changes to our Council following the election, and I’m looking forward to working with both new and familiar faces to lead Lacombe County forward,” said Reeve Shepherd. “The previous Council left us with a strong foundation to build on as we tackle the challenges and opportunities ahead of us.”

Following her appointment, Lacombe County Council appointed Division 1 Councillor John Ireland as Deputy Reeve for a two-year term.

Alberta Transportation is conducting a planning study to examine twinning the 41-kilometre section of Highway 11 between Highway 22 and Township Road 390 (east of Benalto).

Highway 11 is an important route for the movement of people, goods, and services. It connects national parks and communities with over 5,000 residents, including Red Deer, Sylvan Lake and Rocky Mountain House.

CIMA Canada Inc. (CIMA+) will conduct the functional planning study on behalf of Alberta Transportation.
For more information about the study and public information sessions where you can provide feedback on the alternatives and proposed plans, please visit:

• https://www.alberta.ca/highway-11-from-highway-22-to-township-road-390.aspx

Below are the official results of Lacombe County’s 2021 Municipal Election. The results of the referendum vote and senate election will be released on October 26, 2021 at https://www.elections.ab.ca/.

**indicates the successful candidate

For more information, please contact:

Michelle Eadie
Returning Officer
Lacombe County                                            

403-505-8133

PROPOSED LEASE AGREEMENT WITH LACOMBE FISH & GAME ASSOCIATION FOR BURBANK CAMPGROUND

For Lacombe County to enter into a 20-year lease agreement with Lacombe Fish and Game Association on Lot 2MR, Block 1, Plan 802 1368 (13-39-27-W4) and Lot 3MR, Block 1, Plan 912 2491 (13-39-27-W4) located at the Burbank Campground.

How do I comment?

Anyone wishing to comment on the proposed lease agreement will have an opportunity to do so at a public hearing. If you are unable to attend the hearing, written submissions can be made to the County. You will, however, need to ensure that your comments are received by the County prior to the date of the hearing.

Polls close at 8:00 p.m. We will post the information on the website once it is available.

**indicates the successful candidate

*poll location vote counts include advance votes

ELECTION 2021 | What do you need to know for Monday's municipal election?? Visit https://www.lacombecounty.com/index.php/election-2021 for election and voter ID information and check out the poster below.

Today is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. If you look out front of the Lacombe County Office, you will see our flags at half-mast in recognition of this day - for the many children who didn't make it home from residential schools and for the survivors of residential schools.

The annual Orange Shirt Day on September 30th opens the door to a global conversation on all aspects of residential schools.

DID YOU KNOW | Even if there is no municipal election for Councillor happening in your division (Divisions 1, 2, 3, and 7 were acclaimed), you can still vote on the Senate election and the two referendum questions regarding equalization payments and daylight saving time.

Make sure you head to the polls on October 18 (or October 4, if you want to do the advance vote in Lacombe County).

Visit https://www.lacombecounty.com/index.php/election-2021 for full details, including voting locations and times.

The 2021 municipal election will be held on Monday, October 18, 2021 between 10 am and 8 pm. Advance voting will take place on Monday, October 4, 2021 between 10 am and 8 pm.

For a full list of our Advance Vote locations and Election Day voting stations and other Municipal Election information, please visit our website at https://www.lacombecounty.com/index.php/election-2021.
 

Here are Lacombe County’s candidates for the 2021 Municipal Election:

Lacombe County is pleased to welcome Monica Bartman as our new Economic Development Officer (EDO). The EDO position will work directly with businesses, community groups and other stakeholders to develop partnerships, and implement economic development activities to attract new business, and retain and grow existing business.

“Every year or two, Lacombe County Council would discuss the idea of having an Economic Development Officer during a Council meeting,” said Paula Law, Lacombe County Reeve. “With the growth in our hamlets, business and industrial parks, as well as increased activity in agribusinesses in Lacombe County, we felt it was the right time to add this position to our talented Planning and Development team, to support businesses of all sizes in Lacombe County.”

Effective September 4, 2021, masks are mandatory in ALL indoor public spaces and workplaces.

Members of the public will be expected to wear a mask when entering Lacombe County buildings. We will have masks and sanitizer available in the entrances of the Lacombe County Administration Building and the Lacombe County Public Works Shop.

There are alternative options for service available and we ask that you use the options below if possible or if you are feeling unwell:

• phone (403-782-6601)
• email ()
• online service request portal,
• Lacombe County’s Facebook page

We ask that you keep a safe distance from our staff when at the office as a precautionary measure.

We thank you for your cooperation.

Lacombe County invites applications from the public at large for appointment to the following:

SUBDIVISION AND DEVELOPMENT APPEAL BOARD/ ASSESSMENT REVIEW BOARD (Joint appointment)

Persons interested in applying for appointment to these Boards are invited to submit an application providing details of their qualifications and experience by October 1, 2021. If you are interested in serving as Board Chair for the ARB please indicate this in your application.**

The Lacombe County Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB), which is comprised of five members of the public-at-large, is a quasi-judicial board that hears appeals from the decisions of the County’s Development Authority and Subdivision Authority.

The Lacombe County Assessment Review Board (ARB) is comprised of the SDAB members and hears and makes decisions on property assessment complaints.

The Highway 1221 Regional Water Services Commission has retained Weaver Group Ltd to construct a potable water line from Alix to Clive.  Construction will commence on September 8, 2021 and run through the end of 2021.  There may be occasional traffic interruptions along this route during this period.  

Click on Read More to view a map of the proposed water line.

The dry, hot summer has led to the kick-off of the harvest season in Lacombe County, which is significantly earlier than usual. Harvest work is in full swing, and Lacombe County reminds travellers to keep safety at the forefront during fall harvest operations, whether you’re driving a van, pulling a camping trailer, or behind the wheel of a combine or semi-truck.

Road Safety

Road safety is a big concern during harvest season. Slow-moving farm equipment will be on roads already busy with summer travellers and commuters alike, increasing the need for everyone to drive safely and considerately. Since starting this campaign in 2014, we have heard stories from producers and drivers alike of unsafe driving during harvest season.

CN Rail has notified Lacombe County that they are closing Township Road 39-0 between Range Road 25-0 and Range Road 25-1 for crossing repairs.

This closure is scheduled for Thursday, August 19, 2021 from approximately 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and will impact traffic in the Joffre/Haynes area of Lacombe County.

Traffic will be detoured along local roads during the closure. Please watch for signs indicating the detour routes and drive with caution in this area.

Click "Read More" to see a map of the impacted area.

The Sylvan Lake Regional Wastewater Commission is currently constructing a Lift station and transmission line to connect Blissful Beach to their existing system.  These activities will be carried out for the most part in the roadside ditch or on Municipal reserves and should have very little impact on area residents. 

We do ask people to obey traffic signs and slow down for construction zones during this construction which will continue from now until Mid-November.

Lacombe County is excited to launch its Environmental Stewardship Award, which is designed to recognize a Lacombe County resident who practices environmental conservation and sustainability on their property. 

Any member of the public can nominate an individual for this award. A committee will select the successful recipient. The nomination period is from July 1, 2021 to August 31, 2021. Please submit applications in person or by email to . The winner will be selected by a judging panel and will receive a one-time cash prize of $1,500. 

document LC Environmental Stewardship Award Application Form (208 KB)

At the 2021 Blue Skies Awards, presented by the Parklands Airshed Management Zone (PAMZ), Lacombe County was recognized with an award for Environmental Stewardship. This award recognizes the County's long-time commitment to environmental stewardship, including the recent completion of the solar panel project.

“We are honoured to be recognized with a 2021 Blue Skies Award for our solar project, as well as many other environmental initiatives and activities that we have completed over the years, “said Lacombe County Reeve Paula Law. “We recognize the impact that organizations like PAMZ have on the health and environment in our region.”