By Troy Gillard

City, Chamber are opposed

Lacombe County supports province’s planned QE II rest area

Jul 2, 2019 | 5:27 PM

Lacombe County is giving a green light to the province’s plan to build a rest stop along the QE II Highway.

In March, the Alberta Government announced its intention to construct a commercial safety rest area on the west side of the highway (along the southbound lanes), just north of Lacombe where 14,000 vehicles pass by each day.

The City of Lacombe and the Lacombe and District Chamber of Commerce oppose the plan. They are concerned that it’s not located in a joint economic area (JEA) identified by the City and County, and also feel it will compete directly with plans for the Midway Centre commercial and industrial development near the QE II/Highway 12 interchange.

The City and Chamber are sending a letter to Lacombe-Ponoka MLA Ron Orr to voice their opposition.

Lacombe County, however, is encouraged by the proposal. Council voted down a motion presented at their June 24 meeting to co-sign the letter.

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“Though the site is currently being used as a rest stop, it’s limited parking area and lack of appropriate amenities, including restrooms, garbage receptacles, etc., render it inadequate in addressing the needs of commercial truckers and the motoring public,” County Manager Tim Timmons noted in a report to council.

“Depending on the extent of the commercial development that may complement this rest stop there certainly is the potential for it to compete with similar private developments at the Midway Centre and/or the JEA (Joint Economic Area). Notwithstanding, based on the urgent need for a rest stop along QEII near Lacombe, and the lack of certainty regarding the timing and type of commercial development that may occur at the Midway Centre or in the JEA, the Province’s plans to develop some type of a rest stop at this location has merit.

The County also feels a rest stop at the location, where the Wolf Creek Inn was once situated, will be safer and more convenient for southbound travelers, would be more appropriate for a large parking lot, and does not preclude a similar amenity being constructed at the Midway Centre.