Backers of a new Lacombe athletic park didn’t get the financial commitment they were looking for from Lacombe County on Thursday but they didn’t come away empty handed.
After much discussion, county council unanimously agreed to the Lacombe Athletic Park Association’s request for $270,000 in operating funding over nine years.
However, council balked at an additional request for a $1-million loan guarantee to help pay for the $2.2-million third phase of the $3.9-million project to build an artificial turf sports field for soccer, football and rugby and a rubberized running track in Lacombe.
Councillor Rod McDermand said council has supported arenas and community halls in the past, but loaning money to an athletic park would be unprecedented.
Giving so much money to one group would “open the floodgates” to other county sports organizations looking for help building or fixing up facilities.
Besides the size of the loan, McDermand was concerned that it put the county in the role of banker.
“We’re certainly going to attract a lot of people into this council chamber once we say we’re in the loan business,” he said.
Councillor Paula Law was also reluctant to give so much money to one group when there are other county facilities that will need funding in the future. “I really, really have struggled with this one. I can’t support this,” said Law.
Reeve Ken Wigmore agreed the sum requested was large, but he noted it was a loan that would be paid back with interest over nine years.
“I would also like to see it done, but I also struggle with the money,” said Wigmore, who voted along with Councillor Cliff Soper for the loan, which was defeated 4-2.
McDermand then proposed a one-time grant of $200,000, which was passed unanimously.
Association treasurer Wayne Gustafson welcomed the county’s contribution, which will bring the project close to having enough cash in hand to build the artificial turf field, considered a key part of the project.
“Basically another piece of the puzzle has come into place. Now we’ll be able to go back, look at our business plan and find out what works best for getting the project done.”
Not getting all the hoped-for money on Thursday may mean stretching out the project and building the running track later. Meanwhile, association volunteers will continue to beat the bushes for government grants, corporate sponsorships and other donations.
The first two phases of the project, including a fieldhouse, bleachers and lighting, is already complete.
pcowley@www.reddeeradvocate.com
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