Photo (L-R): Director of Operations and Planning Jordan Thompson, Director of Community Services Guy Lapointe, Mayor Grant Creasey, Councillor Reuben Konnik, CAO Matthew Goudy, DARP Chair Joe Whitbread

By rdnewsNOW staff

Distinguished Recognition

Heart of Lacombe wins Minister’s Awards for Municipal and Public Library Excellence

Jan 16, 2024 | 4:37 PM

The City of Lacombe has received the 2023 Minister’s Award for Municipal and Public Library Excellence in the Service Delivery Enhancement category for the Heart of Lacombe project.

City officials say the award is given for an innovative initiative that improves or presents a new approach to how a municipality can deliver a program or service.

The Heart of Lacombe is described as a signature landmark in downtown Lacombe created with the Downtown Area Redevelopment Plan (DARP) Committee. City officials say it is a year-round, social media-shareable site – which captures the memorable experience of visiting Lacombe’s downtown by providing a frame for photos.

“The Heart of Lacombe has quickly become a symbol of our downtown core after being formally recognized twice for its innovative creation,” Mayor Grant Creasey said. “This collaborative effort between the City, the DARP Committee, and our residents has created a brand we can all be proud of. I thank Minister of Municipal Affairs Ric McIver on behalf of Lacombe city council for recognizing the merit of this endeavour.”

City officials say the Heart results from months of collaboration and planning by the DARP Committee, which led to a visually appealing, interactive piece that expresses residents’ connection with their community.

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The City says the landmark is designed for social media and illuminates during darker periods for a distinctive look that encourages public interaction. Officials note the installation prompted new wayfinding signs throughout the core, which supports the new Heart of Lacombe branding.

“Alberta’s municipalities and public library boards create, implement, and manage many excellent initiatives and practices that make our communities strong, prosperous, and resilient,” Minister McIver stated in a letter to Mayor Creasey. “I appreciate your willingness to share this accomplishment and wish you continued success with the initiative.”

Officials say The Heart is one of many projects led by the grassroots Committee committed to creating meaningful initiatives with Lacombe’s downtown. The Committee includes nine members encompassing a broad range of downtown building owners, entrepreneurs, and residents.

“The DARP Committee is proud to see the hard work of so many individuals in this community result in a Minister’s Awards for Municipal and Public Library Excellence,” DARP Chair Joe Whitbread said. “The Heart of Lacombe is the pinnacle of community input, and our Committee is privileged to represent every resident in Lacombe committed to our downtown core.”

Officials note, this is the third award the City of Lacombe received in 2023, with the Heart of Lacombe previously winning the Community Planning Association of Alberta (CPAA) Community Achievement Award and the City’s former Lagoon project winning the Economic Developers of Alberta Award of Excellence.

For more details on this project, visit Service Delivery Enhancement Category. For more information on DARP priority projects, visit lacombe.ca/DARP.

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