Airdrie Minute: Issue 81

Airdrie Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Airdrie politics

📅 This Week In Airdrie: 📅

• Airdrie residents had the opportunity to meet and question local election candidates during a live forum hosted by the Airdrie Public Library at the Inspire facility on October 6th. The event featured Airdrie’s Mayoral, City Council, and Rocky View Schools Ward 3 Trustee candidates, each stationed at their own table for informal one-on-one discussions with attendees. Many residents praised the setup for its accessibility and personal engagement, saying it helped them better understand candidates’ qualifications and priorities. Some, however, noted that the large crowds made it difficult to hear at times. Younger attendees said they came to learn how candidates plan to address youth issues, while families focused on topics like public transportation and recreation facilities. Others appreciated the chance to meet all candidates in one place rather than researching them individually.
  
  
• A time capsule ceremony was held at Airdrie’s Inspire facility on October 7th to commemorate the new building and capture what life in the city looks like in 2025. Deputy Mayor Ron Chapman, Airdrie Public Library director Deb Cryderman, and Culture and Heritage Specialist Kim Harris spoke at the event before unveiling a plaque inscribed with the message, “Possibility is everywhere, we are inspired.” The capsule contains memorabilia from City Council, City Administration, project partners, and the Airdrie Public Library, as well as items like museum pins, budget documents, photos, and hockey cards. Designed to reflect the city’s culture and growth, the capsule will remain sealed for 20 years and is scheduled to be opened on October 7th, 2045.
  
  
• Airdrie’s housing market cooled in September as new listings hit a record 295 units, according to the Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB). The surge in supply pushed the city’s unadjusted benchmark price down to $526,000 - a 1% drop from August and nearly 5% lower than the same month last year. Sales slowed, reducing the sales-to-new-listings ratio to 45% and bringing total inventory to 571 homes, the highest level since 2020. Detached homes saw a 3.7% year-over-year price decline, with the benchmark price now at $627,200. Despite the recent dip, year-to-date prices remain only slightly lower - down just over 1% - after last year’s significant 8% gain. Overall, inventory levels have climbed more than 60% from 2023, nearly doubling the months of supply.
  
  
• Airdrie residents showed their community spirit during the Turkey Twofer event, donating 172 turkeys and $400 in cash to the Airdrie Food Bank. Hosted by Air 106 at local Co-op and Superstore locations, the promotion allowed shoppers to buy one turkey for themselves while donating another to the food bank, resulting in over 14 turkeys donated per hour throughout the 12-hour live broadcast. Christine Taylor, Marketing and Communications Manager for the food bank, praised the community’s generosity, noting the event far exceeded expectations. Local sponsors, including Airdrie Co-op, Superstore, and several businesses, helped make the initiative possible. Donations are vital as one-eighth of Airdrie residents now rely on the food bank, which provides both hamper and daily pantry programs. The donated turkeys will be distributed to families in need.
  
  
• The Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) Holiday Train will make a festive stop in Airdrie on December 9th at Nose Creek Park, bringing music and holiday cheer to the community. The event will feature a free outdoor concert by country artists Jade Eagleson and Teigen Gayse from 5:30 pm to 6:00 pm. Now in its 27th year, the Holiday Train travels across Canada and the US between November 19th and December 21st, raising funds, food, and awareness for local food banks. Since its launch in 1999, it has raised over $26 million and collected about 5.4 million pounds of food for those in need. Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food or monetary donations, which will stay within the Airdrie community. Eagleson, the 2025 CCMA Male Artist of the Year, and Gayse, the 2024 BC Country Music Female Artist of the Year, will also perform earlier that day in Olds and Didsbury.
   

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

Advance voting is ongoing!

You can cast a ballot until October 17th. 

You can find all of the times, locations, and additional voter information online:

🪙 This Week’s Sponsor: 🪙

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