A planned expansion of the Lyalta Community Centre recreation grounds has received conditional approval from Wheatland County’s Municipal Planning Commission.
The site, northeast of Lyalta near the entrance to the Lakes of Muirfield community, currently contains a hall, two ball diamonds, camping space and a dog park.
Plans call for a new building with change rooms, equipment storage and a wheelchair-accessible, gender-neutral washroom. A four-season sports court would operate as an outdoor skating and hockey rink in winter, then accommodate activities including pickleball and basketball in summer. A soccer field, expanded parking and a new site entrance are also proposed.
The commission approved the development Aug. 18 subject to 16 conditions. Those requirements include completing engineering reviews, constructing a gravel approach from Township Road 252, installing signs setting out operating rules and hours, and following the approved development plans.
Water capacity was among the issues discussed. A servicing assessment estimated indoor washroom demand using a maximum of 20 users per day. The existing well was recorded at approximately 10 Imperial gallons per minute, compared with estimated demand of 8.93 gallons per minute.
Deputy Reeve Shannon Laprise questioned whether the system could accommodate a tournament drawing hundreds of visitors. Administration said third-party engineers had requested more information and could require an alternative servicing method.
A traffic assessment concluded roads could accommodate volumes. The plan provides 351 parking spaces, while parking connected with facility activities will be prohibited on public roads. The county expects traffic to rise above 400 vehicles per day during major events.
Final stormwater and servicing plans remain subject to engineering review. Outdoor recreation will be permitted year-round, seven days a week, between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Once the conditions are satisfied, the expansion could provide Lyalta-area residents with a broader range of recreation close to home in every season.