News Flash

Lacombe, Alberta (May 5, 2023) – The City of Lacombe has received the 2023 Community Planning Association of Alberta (CPAA) Community Achievement Award for the Heart of Lacombe project.

The award recognizes, celebrates, and shares the success and hard work of an individual, team, or organization whose creative ideas and work have positively contributed to community building and well-being anywhere in Alberta.

The Heart of Lacombe is a signature landmark in downtown Lacombe created with the Downtown Area Redevelopment Plan (DARP) Committee. It is a year-round, social media-shareable site – which captures the memorable experience of visiting Lacombe's downtown by providing a frame for photos.

"The Heart of Lacombe has fast become the symbol of our downtown core," Deputy Mayor Thalia Hibbs said. "This project is a collaborative effort that has created a brand all our residents can be proud of. This award shows what is possible when our community works together."

The Heart results from months of collaboration and planning by the DARP Committee, which led to a visually appealing, interactive piece that expresses residents' connection with their community.

The landmark is designed for social media and illuminates during darker periods for a distinctive look. The landmark installation prompted new wayfinding signs throughout the core, which use the new Heart of Lacombe branding.

The Heart is one of many projects led by the grassroots Committee committed to creating meaningful initiatives with Lacombe's downtown. The Committee includes nine members encompassing a broad range of downtown building owners, entrepreneurs, and residents.

For additional information, contact:

Todd VaughanCommunications and Community Engagement Coordinator(403)782-1236 office(403)877-4394 celltvaughan@lacombe.ca

Lacombe, Alberta (August 31, 2022) – Lacombe City Council and the Downtown Area Development Plan (DARP) Committee unveiled the new “Heart of Lacombe”.

The City’s new signature landmark, located on the southeast corner of Lest We Forget Park, is a year-round, social media-shareable site – which captures the memorable experience of visiting Lacombe’s downtown by providing a frame for photos.

“It is a thrill to see the first of many DARP Priority Projects come to fruition,” Mayor Grant Creasey said. “The new Heart of Lacombe will draw residents and visitors alike to Lacombe’s historic downtown, benefiting our businesses and community organizations located in the core. I look forward to the many projects the DARP Committee has in store for our community over the coming years.” 

The heart results from months of collaboration and planning by the DARP Committee, which led to a visually appealing, interactive piece that is an expression of the connection residents feel with their community. 

The landmark is designed for social media and illuminates during darker periods for a distinctive look. The heart is even designed to light up in recognizable colours on significant dates throughout the year.

“We wanted to create a unique piece that would grab the eye and camera lenses of everyone who comes through downtown,” DARP Committee Chair Joe Whitbread said. “This signature landmark is the cornerstone of the branding for all upcoming DARP Priority Projects and creates an ongoing identity our citizens can be proud of.”

The landmark installation coincides with new wayfinding signs throughout the community which uses the new heart of downtown branding.

Businesses are invited to use the new branding to support their marketing efforts. “This new branding can be accessed to use in your store windows, on merchandise or flyers. The more it is used, the more the new visual identity of Lacombe will grow,” added Whitbread. 

The projects are funded through Council’s commitment of $1.7 million for DARP Priority Projects, and the projects were chosen by the DARP Committee, which worked with O2 Planning and Consulting + Design Administration to expand on the priorities identified by the public in a previously released survey.

The committee identified specific capital projects to undertake within the DARP boundary and prioritized those projects based on impact, available funding, and other factors. 

For additional information, contact:Todd VaughanCommunications and Community Engagement Coordinator(403)782-1236 office(403)877-4394 celltvaughan@lacombe.ca

(Lacombe, Alberta, February 24, 2026) – The Lacombe Research and Development Centre Closure Response Task Force announces that City of Lacombe Mayor Thalia Hibbs and Lacombe County Reeve John Ireland have been invited to appear as witnesses before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri‑Food to speak on the impacts of the federal government’s planned closure of the Lacombe Research and Development Centre.

The invitation underscores the national significance of the Centre, which has long served as one of Canada’s most important agricultural research facilities. Its planned closure—part of a broader federal workforce reduction initiative—has raised serious concerns across Central Alberta and the Canadian agricultural industry. The Centre employs more than 100 staff and has been a pillar of agricultural innovation for over a century.

Mayor Hibbs emphasized the profound community impact of the federal decision, noting that the Centre’s loss would affect both families and Canada’s broader research capacity. "We are grateful for the opportunity to speak directly to federal decision‑makers," said Mayor Hibbs. “This facility is a huge part of our identity in Lacombe, as well as contributes to food security, innovation, and the strength of our agricultural sector nationwide. Its loss would be felt far beyond our city."

Reeve Ireland has similarly voiced ongoing concern about the erosion of long-term agricultural research infrastructure across the Prairies.

“Producers across the Prairies, Canada and globally rely on the work done here," said Reeve Ireland. "We want to ensure the Standing Committee understands what is at stake for rural communities and the future of Canadian agriculture if they go forward with this closure.”

Who Is Involved With The Joint Task Force?

The Joint Task Force is comprised of elected and senior administrative leadership to coordinate advocacy, engagement, and communications related to the proposed closure. The task force includes the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of the City of Lacombe, the Reeve and Deputy Reeve of Lacombe County, and senior staff and key administrative support from both municipalities.

What Are The Task Force's Main Concerns?

The proposed closure also comes at a time of global instability, trade pressures, and increasing climate-related agricultural challenges—circumstances that demand more, not less, investment in independent, public-interest agricultural research. Canada relies on robust, science-based information to ensure food security, strengthen competitiveness, and support producers in making informed decisions. The elimination of this centre weakens that capacity at a moment when it is most needed.

In summary, the impacts of this closure would be broad and significant:

• Economic Harm: Loss of more than 100 stable, professional jobs in a small labour market, including the erosion of a major employment anchor for the region.
• Student Pipeline Loss: Reduction in hands-on student placements, mentorship, and early-career opportunities that are essential for Canada’s agri-food workforce.
• Research Disruption: Termination or relocation of long-term scientific trials that cannot be replicated without irreparable loss of data and infrastructure value.
• Ecosystem Damage: Undermining the research cluster that connects academia, industry, and public-sector innovation in Central Alberta.
• National Capacity Risks: A weakening of Canada’s independent agricultural research base at a time of heightened global uncertainty.

As directly impacted communities, we continue to urge the federal government to reconsider this decision, pause the planned closure, and engage meaningfully with local governments, agricultural partners, and the research community on viable alternatives.

The public can stay up-to-date on developments of the Task Force’s advocacy efforts on our websites:

• https://www.lacombe.ca/1621/Lacombe-Research-and-Development-Centre-
• https://www.lacombecounty.com/LRDC

If you have any questions, please contact:

Steve LoutittEconomic Development OfficerCity of Lacombesloutitt@lacombe.ca403-782-6666

Nicole PlewisCommunications CoordinatorLacombe Countynplewis@lacombecounty.com403-782-6601

Lacombe, Alberta (February 11th, 2026) – Lacombe City Council has given third reading to Traffic Bylaw 506.2, amending local school and playground zone operating hours to better reflect current student travel patterns and enhance safety across the community.

The amendments adjust start times for school and playground zones to align with when children are most likely to be present, with updated hours for all school zones, including Terrace Ridge School, which requested the review following changes to its daily schedule. Effective following third reading, the updated operating hours are:

School Zones

• Morning: 7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
• Midday: 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
• Afternoon: 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Playground Zones

• 7:30 a.m. to one hour after sunset

Previously, school and playground zones generally began at 8:00 a.m. The new start time of 7:30 a.m. reflects earlier student arrival times and increased morning activity around schools and playgrounds.

“These changes are about keeping pace with how our community actually functions today,” said Matthew Goudy, Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Lacombe. “Student travel patterns have changed over time, and Council agreed it was important to ensure our bylaws reflect when children are truly present and most vulnerable. This is a practical, proactive step to support community safety.”

The review was initiated after Terrace Ridge School raised concerns about students arriving before existing school-zone hours were in effect. Administration also identified similar safety considerations near playgrounds, walking routes, and activity areas throughout the city.

From an enforcement perspective, the changes bring greater clarity and consistency for motorists.

“Clear, consistent zone hours make a real difference for driver awareness and compliance,” said Jason Dobirstein, Chief of Police, Lacombe Police Service. “These updated times better match when children are walking, cycling, and crossing roads. Our goal is always prevention first - slowing traffic during the times it matters most.”

Approximately 145 signs across Lacombe will be updated using reflective overlays or minor modifications. The work will be completed within the existing signage operating budget and will not result in ongoing costs.

The City of Lacombe and the Lacombe Police Service will roll out a public education campaign through local newspapers, radio, social media, and other communication channels to ensure residents are aware of the updated zone hours before enforcement begins.

A map of all designated school and playground zones is available on the City of Lacombe website.

For more information, visit www.lacombe.ca or follow the City of Lacombe on social media.

For additional information, contact:

Doug HalldorsonDirector of Operation Services(403)782-1280dhalldorson@lacombe.ca

Bryan ZensStaff SergeantLacombe Police(403)782-3279bzens@lacombe.ca

City of Lacombe and Lacombe County form joint task force and advance coordinated advocacy in response to announced closure of the Lacombe Research and Development Centre

Lacombe, Alberta (February 4, 2026)- The City of Lacombe and Lacombe County are taking coordinated action following the federal government’s announced closure of the Lacombe Research and Development Centre (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada).

Earlier this week, the City and County established a joint task force comprised of elected and senior administrative leadership to coordinate advocacy, engagement, and communications related to the proposed closure. The task force includes the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of the City of Lacombe, the Reeve and Deputy Reeve of Lacombe County, and senior staff from both municipalities, including economic development leadership.

“This is not an abstract policy decision—this is a major disruption to agricultural research capacity and to families in our region,” said Mayor Thalia Hibbs. “The Lacombe Centre has been a pillar of innovation for 119 years, and the research underway today is more relevant than ever to food security, climate resilience, and productivity. We are working with urgency and with partners at every level to have this decision reviewed.”

The municipalities are collaborating closely with MLA Jennifer Johnson and MP Blaine Calkins, along with industry partners and stakeholders. In recent days, the task force has met with industry representatives and research partners, including representatives from the Lacombe Centre and Western Crop Innovations, to confirm impacts and to ensure advocacy efforts are grounded in current, factual information.

Importantly, the Lacombe Centre is not a legacy site. It is actively delivering high-value, applied research today— over $5 million in research projects in recent years, with multiple projects underway through late 2026. Current work includes disease resistance and monitoring, production efficiency, crop and livestock genetics, and practical pathways that support a net-zero beef target.

“Our concern is the national consequence of losing publicly funded agricultural research capacity,” said Reeve John Ireland. “In a time of global uncertainty and trade volatility, Canadian competitiveness depends on research that supports producers, strengthens food systems, and improves productivity. If capacity like this is dismantled, it is difficult—and in some cases impossible—to rebuild.”

The City and County have scheduled meetings with federal officials within Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to discuss the impact of the closures and to advocate for the decision to be revisited. The task force has also requested meetings with Alberta’s Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation to address provincial implications and potential supports.

The municipalities have jointly communicated that the proposed closure would have significant impacts on employees and families, and would undermine the long-term value of specialized land bases and long-term trials that cannot simply be transferred without loss of continuity and data value.

The City of Lacombe and Lacombe County will continue to provide updates as confirmed information becomes available and as advocacy efforts progress.

For additional information, please contact:

Steve Loutitt,Community Economic Development OfficerCity of Lacombe403-782-6666sloutitt@lacombe.ca

Nicole Plewis,Communications CoordinatorLacombe County403-782-6601nplewis@lacombecounty.com