Lacombe County is holding off on a decision to provide funding help for an athletic park until the City of Lacombe has had time to mull over a similar request.
The Lacombe Athletic Park Association asked the county provide an annual operating contribution of $30,000 to help cover operating deficits from 2012 to 2020.
A $1-million loan guarantee was also requested to help the association complete the third phase of the $3.9 million project to build an artificial turf sportsfield for soccer, rugby and football and a rubberized running track.
On Monday, association board members made an identical loan guarantee request to Lacombe city council. Also requested was $50,000 a year as an annual management fee and operating subsidy. The city was also asked to join the county in providing earth-moving equipment and to provide landscaping and staff time to install fencing.
Council and city staff wanted time to review the request and it will be brought back at a Sept. 12 meeting.
Work on the park began last year with the construction of a field house, concession, viewing tower, meeting facility, score clock, lighting and bleachers. Those first two phases cost $1.7 million.
Third phase work includes installation of the turf field and the running track. About $1.5 million has already been raised, leaving about $750,000.
The loan guarantee would cover the shortfall and provide a little extra as a safety net.
It is hoped work can begin this fall for a June completion.