The Lacombe Downtown Area Redevelopment Plan (DARP) guides land use and development decisions within the downtown boundary. In response to the steady growth and redevelopment pressure facing the downtown, the City initiated the preparation of a new DARP in 2011, which was adopted in 2013.
DARP results from working with those most affected by the plan - specifically, residents and business owners in Lacombe, especially those in the DARP area.
For additional information about DARP, please refer to the following documents:
The boundaries of DARP are:
- 56th Avenue to the north
- 45th Street to the east and Highway 2A to the southeast
- Research Centre lands to the south
- 58th Street to the west
For a full list of completed and upcoming DARP priority projects, please visit:
• DARP Priority Projects Presentation (PDF)
Current DARP Committee members
- Chris Farsky, Citizen at Large
Term: June 28, 2023 to June 27, 2026 - Kimberley Kay, Citizen at Large
Term: June 28, 2023 to June 27, 2026 - Joe Whitbread, Citizen at Large
Term: June 28, 2023 to June 27, 2026 - Peter Bouwsema, Citizen at Large
Term: June 28, 2023 to June 27, 2025 - Troy Corsiatto, Citizen at Large
Term: June 28, 2023 to June 27, 2025 - Tammy Derowin, Citizen at Large
Term: June 28, 2023 to June 27, 2025 - Melissa Blunden, Citizen at Large
Term: June 28, 2023 to June 27, 2024 - Myles Chykerda, Citizen at Large
Term: June 28, 2023 to June 27, 2024
DARP addresses the community’s vision for future growth and development in the downtown, outlining clear guidance to City staff and citizens about the requirements for new development and projects and has been used as a tool in many development projects over the last seven years, including:
- Various Land Use Bylaw Amendments
- The Heritage Preservation Program
- Downtown Storefront Enhancement Program
- Music in the Park at the LMC
- Improvements to 50 Avenue (Main Street Program)
The DARP Committee annually provides Lacombe City Council with an update on priority DARP projects. Most recently, the Committee presented a proposed plaza for 49C Avenue. The presentation can be viewed online:
The Committee conducted a survey to gather feedback from the community, culminating with in-person engagement at the City’s 2023 Coffee with Council session at the Lacombe and District Chamber of Commerce Tradeshow. Feedback will be gathered and brought to Council at a later date.
For a complete list of DARP priority projects, please visit:
The 2013 Lacombe DARP outlines guiding principles for future growth and development in downtown Lacombe. The following principles are based on those currently outlined in the DARP 2013 document but are paraphrased for ease of reference.
- Walkable and accessible streets
- Unique look and vibe downtown
- Year-round outdoor gathering space
- Preserve and/or reuse heritage structures
- Inclusive housing choices downtown
- Revitalized buildings that complement our historic roots
- Expand our signature main street
- Centralize more City services
- Bring more of the Arts downtown
- Support tourism opportunities