Weeks after the actual ground began to be dug up by construction crews and heavy machinery, preparing what will eventually be the new $46 million aquatic facility adjoining Lac La Bche's Bold Center, an official ground-breaking ceremony was held in February. "We started this project by doing feasibility studies and engaging with the community in 2021 to gather more input from the public to see what they wanted with a new facility," said Darrell Lessmeister, Lac La Biche County's associate CAO of Recreation and Community Services.
Some of those wishes includes water slides a six-lane competition-level swimming pool and a lazy river. When the project was first budgeted, costs were pegged at around $27 million, with provincial and federal grant funding making up more than half. As the project moved along, however, the costs increased, with municipal councillors agreeing last February to a $12 million increase, before approving the most recent price tag of $46 million. The features and footprint of the project have also seen some changes in the years of design, but it continues to offer what the community and other stakeholders have requested, says Lessmeister.
Replacing the 10,000 square foot Portage Aquatic Centre that was built at Lac La Biche's Portage College campus in 1988, the new facility will bring new growth to the community, says Mayor Reutov. "This is one of the largest and most ambitious projects we have undertaken... the benefits of the new aquatic facility will bring quality of life, community health and wellness, as well as economic development and tourism to our county and region, the project is part of a dynamic future for the community."
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