Lacombe City Council has approved a Community Builder Partnership Grant of $75,000 to the Lacombe Fish & Game Association (LFGA) for a new fishing dock at Len Thompson Pond.

LFGA plans to construct an expanded, fully accessible, and pedestrian-friendly fishing dock, with construction starting in February 2023, with a target completion date of June 2023. The expansion will not only improve accessibility for the dock but also lower maintenance and enhance safety.

"Council is thrilled to support the further development of Len Thompson Pond,” Mayor Grant Creasey said. “This dock will further enhance Lacombe’s status as a go-to destination for urban fishing and outdoor recreation.”

Len Thompson Fish Pond is home to the World’s Largest Fishing Lure, and the addition of this improved dock will further assist efforts to establish the site as a feature tourism destination for the City of Lacombe and the greater region.

The Province of Alberta recently approved LFGA’s accessible dock project for a Community Facility Enhancement Program Grant in the amount of $80,000.00.

LFGA proposes to fund the accessible dock as follows:

  • LFGA - $50,000

  • Team Jigger- $15,000

  • Len Thompson Fishing Lures - $15,000

  • CFEP - $80,000

  • City of Lacombe - $75,000

  • Lacombe County - $75,000

The Community Builder Partnership Grant is funded through an annual City contribution of $50,000. Council has approved three Partnership grants since the program's inception, including:

  • $43,750.00 to the Lacombe Athletic Park Association in 2017 for the development of basketball courts.

  • $140,937.50 to the Lacombe Performing Arts Centre Foundation in 2019 to purchase the Trinity Lutheran Church as a permanent arts facility in Lacombe.

  • $20,398.73 to the Lacombe & District Historical Society to support the development of archive and collections storage.

The Lacombe & District Recreation, Parks and Culture Board previously reviewed the application and submitted their recommendation to Council.