The final bolts are being tightened on the new Echo Energy Stage today in Lacombe's Lest We Forget Park.

The new outdoor stage is the first to benefit from the Echo Lacombe Association's community granting program, which sees proceeds from energy sales go directly into a fund that organizations can apply for.

The Lacombe Performing Arts Centre received a $20,000 cheque back in October for the new stage, which will play host to Music in the Park and other community events.

“We want to see people sign up and get on board because we only have 225 account holders and this is something that we’re able to make happen,” Community & Economic Development Manager, Guy Lapointe said.

“If we can see that double, triple or even quadruple over the next two or three years, then we’re going to be able to do a lot more of this.”

Director of LPAC C4 Initiative, Patti Wilson said the arts are an important aspect of the city.

“We have seen such a growth in our Music in the Park starting from July and August and expanding to May to September and incorporating the Culture & Harvest Festival and being involved in the Canada Day celebrations. We are totally thrilled with this.”

The plan going forward is that other community groups will also make use of the new stage.

“The hope is to see this as a resource that will grow and expand and maybe we will see Shakespeare in the Park here at one point,” Lapointe said.

“We could use it for Light up the Night or Lacombe Days, all these guys could access it as a great backdrop for an event.”