City of Lacombe

Section 2 - Heart of Town Area
 
2.1  History

While explorers may have passed close to the site of present day Lacombe as early as 1690, settlement did not occur for another two hundred years. In 1880 the first land surveys of the Lacombe area took place, but it was not until 1883 that the first permanent settler arrived, Ed Barnett. On a land grant along the Calgary-Edmonton Trail he established a "stopping house" for travelers. The arrival of the railroad (Canadian Pacific Railway) in 1891 provided better access to the area and new opportunities for settlement. By 1893 the downtown blocks and lots were surveyed. Village status was granted in 1896 and town status in 1902. By the beginning of the First World War, the town had a population of over 2000 people, in part spurred on by speculation in land development due to plans announced by the Canadian National Railway to establish Lacombe as a major western terminus for the distribution of coal. This never occurred, due to World War I and federal refusal for permission for the CNR to cross the CPR line. By 1915 one thousand lots were forfeited to the Town in lieu of taxes and by 1921 the population had declined to just over 1,100. This lack of growth, and therefore pressure for change or renewal, in part led to the legacy of Edwardian buildings that remain in Lacombe to this day.

However, due to its location close to Red Deer, which became the regional centre, and being centred in a highly production agricultural region Lacombe continued to grow. By 1951 the population was nearly 2,300 people. Growth accelerated in the 1970s and 1980s with increasing petroleum activity and new petrochemical development in the region. By 1996 Lacombe had a population of 8,018.

Much of the plan area was subdivided and developed prior to World War II.  However, residential expansion occurred in the southwest and northwest corners of the plan area through the 1960s and 1970s. The most recent housing area was developed in the 1990s in the northeast corner of the Heart of Town area.

 
2.2       Existing Land Uses and Transportation Facilities
 
As shown on Map 2, the majority of land use in the plan area is residential, with the associated sites for parks, schools and the hospital.  Commercial uses dominate along Highway 2A and the adjacent historic commercial core generally bordered by 49A Avenue, 53 Street and 51 Avenue. At the south end of the plan area is an expansive site of agricultural lands used for research purposes by the Federal Experimental Farm.

Three major transportation facilities both serve and impact the plan area. Highways 2A and the CNR line form the eastern boundary and have stimulated commercial development. While providing superb access to Lacombe, Highway 12 dissects the plan area. Increasing traffic, especially truck traffic, has been a growing concern to the community and residents in the area. Other major roads include the C & E Trail, 58 Street and the 56/54 Avenue east-west link.

2.3       Assets Valued Characteristics

Among the many features and aspects that define Lacombe as a community, likely two of the most important are its historic downtown and the older style homes and mature trees in the surrounding residential areas. These form the essence of the character of the core of the Heart of Town area.

Like most western communities, wood was the primary construction material used in Lacombe, and remains so today. However, after a series of fires in the early 1900's, including one that destroyed most of the Flatiron block, the Town passed a bylaw that required all new structures in the town centre to be predominately of brick, and the existing buildings to be clad with brick. While also providing an impetus for the brick making industry, this bylaw helped to preserve the downtown buildings and streetscape for which Lacombe is today renowned. Especially important are buildings along 50th Avenue and 50th Street. Another significant landmark is the historic Michener House on 51 Street, while other heritage residential structures extend west along 50th Avenue. Many of the residential streets are tree lined, usually with mature elms that contribute greatly to the mature appearance of the district. Often lots have considerable depth and sometimes width and thus the density of development is very low, especially when compared to more contemporary neighbourhoods.

It is these characteristics the mature appearance and low-density nature of the older residential areas and the historical nature of the commercial area - in which residents have considerable pride and wish to see, protected. It is these very characteristics which this plan proposes to maintain while accommodating appropriate redevelopment in the Heart of Town area.

2.4       Demographics

As discussed earlier, Lacombe has grown steadily over the years.  Tables 1 and 2 provide a general summary of population changes in Lacombe over the past 37 years.

Table 1 Population Growth, 1971 - 1996 by Age Category

 
Source: Census of Canada
 
Since 1971 the population has increased by 133% (3,435 to 8,015) thus requiring many more housing units, most of which have been developed in expanding neighbourhoods outside of the Heart of Town. While there is much talk of the greying of the population as baby boomers move into their retirement years, Lacombe's population remains more balanced than many other communities. Although the number of seniors (age 65 and over) has more than doubled in the past three decades, the percentage increase of 114% is less than the overall population growth (133%). During this time frame, the share of Lacombe's senior population has declined from 16.7% to 15.3% while the share of young adults (age 20 - 44) has increased significantly from 25.9% to 35.6%.

 
Table 2 Share of Population, 1971 - 1996 by Age Category
 

10-14   10.5%   10.4%    7.9%    7.8%    8.1%    8.7% 15-19   10.6%   10.7%   10.4%    7.7%    7.2%    7.7% 20-24    7.3%    7.7%    9.7%    7.9%    5.9%    5.4% 25-34    8.7%   10.5%   16.5%   17.4%   16.4%   14.2% 35-44    9.9%    9.1%    9.3%   12.3%   14.9%   16.0% 45-54   10.6%   10.5%    8.5%    7.4%    7.9%   10.4% 55-64    8.2%   10.3%    8.4%    8.1%    7.3%    6.9% 65 +    16.7%   17.0%   14.3%   15.3%   15.1%   15.3%

Source: Census of Canada
 
At the same time, the share of older adults (age 45 - 64) has also dropped (18.8% to 17.3%) although their number has more than doubled. If the 1,385 individuals in this age category continue to live in Lacombe, together with seniors moving to the community, the net increase in seniors could be considerable. This will place a significant demand for housing for seniors. While the majority of the overall population increase has been housed in the outer, or peripheral "new" neighbourhoods of Lacombe, there is a growing demand for adult and senior multiple-family housing units in the Heart of Town.
 
Economic growth in the region appears that it will remain strong. With its central location, proximity to Red Deer and major highways, available services, attractive neighbourhoods and "small town" atmosphere, Lacombe can expect to capture its share of growth, including younger families.