Lacombe County council has approved additional funding for a project at the City of Lacombe's Kinsmen Aquatic Centre spray park.

The decision was made during the regular council meeting on June 11, with councillors approving a contribution of up to $42,580 toward the construction of permanent accessible washrooms at the spray park.

The funding request came from the City of Lacombe as an addition to recreation capital projects previously approved by the county council in April. At that time, council approved annual recreation capital funding requests from the city covering six facilities, with the county's total contribution amounting to $228,056.

According to information presented to council, the accessible washroom project had originally been planned for 2027 but is being advanced to 2026 to coincide with other maintenance work taking place at the facility.

The total cost of the washroom project is estimated at $110,000. Under Lacombe County's Recreation Capital Funding Policy, the county's contribution is based on historical usage rates by county residents. Administration reported that county residents account for 38.71 per cent of users at the facility, resulting in the requested contribution of $42,580.

Council heard the application met all requirements under the county's Recreation Capital Funding Policy and that the proposed contribution was consistent with funding allocations approved for other aquatic centre projects earlier this year.

The funding was not included in the county's 2026 operating budget. Council was advised that the contribution would be drawn from the Recreation Capital Assistance Reserve.

Administration reported the reserve is projected to have a year-end balance of approximately $3.68 million after accounting for recreation capital projects already approved in 2026.

Council approved the funding request as recommended by administration.