OVERVIEW:

The Town of Lacombe is located in the heart of the bustling Edmonton / Calgary corridor and approximately 20 kilometers north of Red Deer. Situated at the junction of Highway 2, 2A and 12, the town is also served by a busy CP Rail line and a municipal airport. This strategic geographic location and excellent transportation access has earned Lacombe the title of being ‘Alberta’s Sweet Spot’, as well as the distinction of ranking 12th among “Alberta’s Best Communities for Business”.  (Alberta Venture magazine, June 2008 issue)  

Lacombe is located 15 minutes east of Aspen Beach Provincial Park and 30 minutes west of The Narrows Provincial Recreation Site. The Town is also surrounded by numerous rivers, lakes, natural areas and recreational sites - Gull Lake, Sylvan Lake, Medicine Lodge Ski Club and Xtreme Raceways - to name a few.  A total of 15 golf courses are located within 30 kilometers of Lacombe, with the Lacombe Golf & Country Club located within the town limits and The Nursery Golf & Country Club and the Wolf Creek Golf Resort (a Links Course) located immediately adjacent to the town.  The numerous and diverse attractions listed below can all be found either in the town or within a 40 kilometer radius of Lacombe.

The growing community of Lacombe has an official population of 11,733 (2009 municipal census), an increase of 1.5% over 2007; a 6% growth rate in 2005 and a three-year annual projected growth rate of 3%.  As of June 2008, the town’s building permit values were $21.9 million. Year-end building permit values totaled $37 million in 2007. 

Lacombe’s sustainable growth and expansion is aptly supported by multiple economic drivers. These include oil and gas industry services, agricultural services, petrochemical and plastic’s manufacturing, a full service tertiary hospital and care centre, a long-term, assisted living and life-lease senior’s facility, and a residential airpark development. A municipally-driven residential housing initiative targets a full build-out of approximately 1,200 residences and a mixed use neighbourhood commercial power centre.  Lacombe is also home to the Alberta Financial Service Corporation’s (AFSC) head office with 600+ employees, the Canadian University College and is bordered by both provincial and federal agricultural research centres.

In 2006 the municipality contributed to a $37 million investment and connection to the Red Deer River Regional Water Commission, thereby securing a reliable supply of potable water from the City of Red Deer. In 2007, a $10.6 million modernization of the Lacombe Memorial Centre (LMC) was completed.  The LMC has quickly become a focal point for regional conferences, as well as the first choice for family celebrations, community gatherings and special events. With its state-of-the-art audio-visual system, a variety of meeting room options, commercial quality kitchen, and 500 person banquet and 600 person concert seating capacities, the LMC has greatly increased the demand for local hotel and lodging spaces.

Short range capital projects include the upgrading of Highway 2A to four lanes, a diamond interchange upgrade at the intersection of Highway 2 and Highway 12, and municipal connection to a regional wastewater system.

HOSPITALITY:
There is a limited supply of accommodation available in Lacombe to meet visitor, tourist and conference needs. The six current motor inns, downtown hotels and bed and breakfasts offer only a total 175 guest rooms, providing varied but modest amenities and services.  The town and area require hotel properties capable of handling major tourism, tournament, bus tour and convention demands.

EXISTING ATTRACTIONS INCLUDE:
   •    Flatiron Building and Lacombe Interpretive Centre
   •    Michener House Museum
   •    Blacksmith Shop Museum
   •    Father Lacombe Memorial Statue
   •    Historic Downtown Lacombe Shopping & Commercial District
   •    Lacombe Trout Pond
   •    Michener Recreation Area & Kinsmen Ball Park, consisting of;
        a running track, horseshoe pitch, 3 soccer fields, 4 minor-to-senior

        league baseball diamonds, 3 slow-pitch & fast-pitch diamonds,

        concession area, day use picnic area and seasonal campground.

   •    25 kilometre integrated, multi-use trail system (part of the Trans-Canada

        Trail Network)
   •    Lacombe Sports & Leisure Complex, consisting of;
        ▪ 6-lane, 25 metre Kinsmen Aquatic Centre with spray park,

          wading pool and hot tub,

        ▪ 2-sheet Barnett Arenas for hockey, ringette, figure skating, and

        ▪ 6-sheet Lacombe Curling Club with lounge and meeting rooms

        ▪ 1 outdoor rink (ball and ice hockey in season) 

   •    Ellis Bird Farm (natural area, bird sanctuary and tea house)
   •    Lacombe Corn Maze
   •    J.J. Collette Natural Area
   •    Sylvan Lake Natural Area
   •    Central Alberta Sailing Club
   •    Xtreme Raceways
   •    Medicine Lodge Ski Club

TOURISM STATISTICS:
Lacombe attracts more than 25,000 visitors annually, with an additional 25,000 tourists visiting the surrounding Lacombe County area.

In addition to business, industry and professional level conferences and conventions, Lacombe hosts the following annual arts, cultural, recreational and sport gatherings and tournaments:
•    Lacombe Art Exhibit & Sale
•    Lacombe & District Trade Show
•    Lacombe Days parade, exhibition and midway
•    Antique Car Show & Shine
•    100-meter hot rod “Shootout”    
•    Lacombe Farmer’s Market (weekly, spring to autumn)
•    Lacombe Flying Club Fly-In Breakfast
•    Summer lacrosse, ringette and minor hockey camps
•    Minor hockey tournament (involves players from five Central Alberta communities)
•    Novice and Atom League Easter hockey tournament (100 teams competing)
•    Ringette tournament (two per year)