Lacombe County Approves $2.5M Gull Lake Trail and Eagles Quay Expansion
Lacombe County Council approved the 2026-2030 Five-Year Recreation Capital Plan on Nov. 13, headlined by a $2.5 million trail project at Gull Lake. The decision moves several high-cost infrastructure and recreation projects into the county’s immediate pipeline.
Major Infrastructure and Recreation
The Gull Lake Trail is the primary focus for 2026. The County intends to fund the $2.5 million project through reserves and grants. The broader five-year plan also includes a $90,000 boardwalk at Kuhnen Park in 2027 and a $4 million expansion of the Trans Canada Trail in 2028.
Council also renewed its operating agreement with the Lacombe Athletic Park Association (LAPA). Funding will increase from $30,000 to $45,000 annually for the next five years. The increase, the first since 2012, will cover approximately 17.7% of the park's operating costs.
Sylvan Lake Development
Council authorized the subdivision of Eagles Quay Phase 2, creating six new residential lots on the west side of Sylvan Lake. This project was previously shelved by the developer in 2006 due to the high cost of required road upgrades. Recent County paving of Range Road 2-4 and Township Road 39-2 has now made the development feasible.
To recoup infrastructure costs, the developer must pay an off-site levy of $23,769 per hectare. Additionally, a $2,500 "public access levy" per lot will be collected to fund general lake access improvements. Residents in the new subdivision will be required to connect to regional water and wastewater systems at their own cost once those services become available.
The Tax Relief Divide
Council demonstrated a clear split in how it handles tax relief, approving a massive waiver for a corporation while denying every request made by individual residents.
Council approved a payment plan for BTG Power Corp, waiving $15,525.19 in late penalties on the condition that the company pays its $258,752.70 tax bill by Nov. 30.
In contrast, four separate motions to cancel penalties for individual taxpayers—ranging from $108.31 to $257.18—were all defeated. One request involved an estate currently in probate following a fatal accident; another involved a new homeowner who mistakenly believed taxes were settled at the time of purchase. Administration recommended the denials, noting that the County had met all its notification obligations and that no clerical errors were made.
Citizen Delegations and Funding Requests
Representatives from the Lacombe & District Historical Society requested $57,500 in operating funding for the Lacombe Museum in 2026. Curator Brittany Keik and board members Debbie Gillard and Janette Doering provided an overview of museum operations. Council received the presentation as information and directed the County Manager to prepare a formal recommendation for a future meeting.
Road Policy and Financials
Council updated Policy OP(8), which governs compensation for land acquisition during road construction. The new policy removes the rate difference between agricultural and non-agricultural land. Compensation is now standardized at one and one-third times the fair market value as determined by the County’s assessment department.
The Third Quarter 2025 financial report shows the County is currently in a surplus position. While utility revenue at Aspelund Park is lagging, fuel costs for County equipment have remained below budget forecasts.
What’s Next
Council will meet for a Committee of the Whole session on Dec. 2. The agenda includes discussions on annexation at the west side of Sylvan Lake, fire permit conditions, and a review of what councillors heard from residents during the recent election campaign.