This weekend is your chance to discover Lacombe Lake and the Central Alberta Rowing Club. An open house will be held on Saturday June 24th, for visitors to discover all that Lacombe Lake has to offer from 11AM-2PM. A hot dog lunch will also be provided.  

“We're having a joint open house with the Central Alberta Rowing Club and the Lacombe Lake Watershed Stewardship Society. It's to make people more aware of the lake, the facilities and the Rowing Club. We may have a representative from a kayak organization as well,” explained Andy Nokes, President of Central Alberta Rowing Club.  

Lacombe Lake can be accessed south of Lacombe by continuing south on Range Road 272 past the Track on 2. The location is new to the club as of 2017. 

“We have this old road allowance which comes off the Range Road which goes past the track on 2 and it and it just ends in the in the water and that land has been vacant for decades. They [the Lacombe County] let us use it. We've cleared it and we've built the boathouse and the boat compound,” said Nokes. 

In addition to being an excellent place to bring a boat and paddles, Lacombe Lake offers walking trails, fishing, and a beautiful environment to spot wildlife.  

“The wildlife is fantastic. There's loons, and pelicans and there's a whole range of different types of birds which seem to like to follow us rowing down the lake,” said Nokes.  

On Saturday, the rowing club will have boats and equipment available for newcomers.  

“We're going to use probably two-person rowing boats. We have one of the club members in one seat and the beginner in the other seat so that they don't end up stranded in the middle of the lake,” explained Nokes.  

The Central Alberta Rowing club is currently comprised of six adults but they are looking forward to expanding in the community and have the equipment to support more members. Some members, including Nokes, have competed on an international level. The club is open to members of all ages and skill levels. The only requirements are being able to get in and out of a boat and the ability to swim 50 meters.  

At the open house, the Lacombe Lake Watershed Stewardship Society will also be on site to provide information about the lake and their efforts to preserve the lake.  

“On a regular basis, they take water samples with the with help from the Alberta Lake Management Society, who are tracking water quality over a large number of lakes in Alberta. They monitor the level. They've monitored the oxygen content during the winter which is an indication of the health of the lake for the fish,” explained Nokes.  

If you are unable to make it to the event on Saturday, you can find more information about the Central Alberta Rowing Club by visiting their Facebook page or website.  

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