The Lacombe Athletic Park Association's (L.A.P.A) future is looking extra bright today, after a major expansion of MEGlobal Athletic Park was announced this morning.

The $2 million donation by MEGlobal Canada will help with construction of new change rooms, washrooms, and other spectator facilities, and eventually, help build a world-class track and field facility.

Acting chair of L.A.P.A. Bruce Miller says this will make Lacombe a premier spot for track and field athletes in central Alberta.

“I.I.A.F. (International Association of Athletics Federation) quality track that would see our athletes in central Alberta to have the opportunity to train like the pros and play like the pros. Also thrilled that our other partners, the City of Lacombe, Lacombe County, and Wolf Creek Public Schools are supporting us in this project and going to help see through with the success of this wonderful opportunity.”

Miller says the remainder of the estimated $4.2 million price tag for the project will be raised through grants, fundraisers, and donations, with help from those partners.

Vice President of Manufacturing for ME Global Canada Rocco Schurink says it was a no-brainer for his company to contribute to this project.

He says they are impressed with how both the city and county of Lacombe, the L.A.P.A., as well as Wolf Creek Public Schools all work together to accomplish a goal that will benefit all of central Alberta.

“It’s a unique system in central Alberta and Alberta itself where, the city, where the county, education, volunteers, and industry get together, it’s really amazing… over 70,000 people visited the park last year, it shows its value for not only its citizens but also central Alberta in general, so we are very happy to be part of it, and continue to be a part of it.”

Construction on the field house and spectator enhancements is expected to start next spring, with the track and field event facilities being built in 2020.

MEGlobal also retained the naming rights to the field until the year 2040.

(A rendering of what the proposed new track and field facilities would look like)