Starting May 1, 2022, visitors of Sandy Point Beach, Sandy Point Boat Launch, and Sunbreaker Cove Boat Launch will be required to pay for parking. Lacombe County is launching a quick and easy payment system for parking through HotSpot Parking Inc.

"With an increasing amount of people accessing the lake via the beach and boat launches, Lacombe County felt it was the time to implement a payment system for users of these amenities. This will assist with the maintenance and upkeep of these facilities, as well as help provide for future needs," said Tim Timmons, County Manager for Lacombe County. "HotSpot Parking will be convenient for users and will ensure safe, maintained lake access for all users to enjoy."

Paid parking will be required for anyone to park at the following rates: 

  • Sandy Point Beach parking lot ($3/hour or $15 for the day)
  • Sandy Point and Sunbreaker Cove Boat Launches$20/day to launch and park, $10 to launch only, $10 for additional vehicle parking only with no trailer

For 2022, Lacombe County Community Peace Officers and contracted Commissionaires will use a combination of education and parking violation tags to enforce these new requirements. Lacombe County will be setting up signage in all parking lots to direct users to use their mobile devices to pay for parking with HotSpot Parking Inc.

  • Signage will be installed to let drivers know about Lacombe County's new parking program.

  • Drivers will be prompted to download and use a parking app on their smartphone or scan/tap a QR code to pay without the need to download an app via the Fast Tap online payment option.

"We know this will be an adjustment, but we felt it was important to adopt a user-pay system for these facilities to help off-set the County’s cost of operating them,” said Lacombe County Reeve Barb Shepherd. “We are pleased to offer access to Gull Lake and Sylvan Lake through these facilities, and believe that this new paid parking system will ensure these amenities can be maintained and used to their full potential for residents and visitors alike.”