Faced with aging recreation facilities in its urban communities, Lacombe County is looking for public input on how to plan for the future.

A major recreation plan is being prepared by the county and resident consultation has already produced some clear messages.

Among them is that county residents want to see recreation facilities retained in urban centres.

However, even keeping the current inventory of facilities won’t come cheap. Both Alix and Clive arenas need replacing, and arenas in Bentley and Eckville require major upgrades to keep them useful for another 25 years.

Among the decisions to be made is whether it makes more sense to retrofit aging facilities — a much cheaper option — or build new.

Traditionally, county residents go to urban communities to play hockey or go swimming. The county also wants to see what the public thinks about creating district parks, one on each side of the county, where recreation facilities would be concentrated. Another option is creating a centralized regional recreation facility.

Feedback can be provided through an online survey at www.lacombecounty.com until Friday. County residents who fill out the online survey are eligible to win an iPhone5.

A series of town hall meetings have also been planned next month to gather input. They are as follows:

• June 4, Eckville Arena lobby at 6:30 p.m.

• June 5, Bentley’s Blindman Valley Ag Centre at 6:30 p.m.

• June 6, Lacombe County Council Chambers at 6:30 p.m.

• June 11, Clive Arena meeting room at 6:30 p.m.

• June 12, Alix Arena at 6:30 p.m.