Airdrie Minute: Vimy Ceremony, Project Progress, and Genesis Place Passes

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

This Week In Airdrie:

• On Tuesday, at 1:00 pm, there will be a City Council Meeting. The meeting will begin with a closed session on the 2024 Audit Findings Report. Then, during the public agenda, Council will discuss the 2024 Financial Information Return and 2024 Audited Consolidated Financial Statements, receive a detailed update from the design team on the Highland Park Fire Station and Training Center, and receive the results and metrics of the Shared E-Scooter Pilot Program.
  
  
• The Airdrie Public Library will continue offering free Genesis Place Passes as part of a community health initiative. Residents will be able to borrow passes for children, youth, adults, seniors, and families, helping them access recreation opportunities at no cost. Passes can be checked out for two weeks using a free library card. Supported by Healthier Together Airdrie, this program aims to promote active living across the city.
  
  
• Airdrie residents still have questions about Alberta's updated roadside worker safety rules. In response, the Province clarified that the same rules apply across all roads - whether on provincial highways or residential streets. Drivers must move over for any roadside vehicle with flashing lights or slow to 60 km/h (or the posted limit, if lower) if changing lanes isn’t safe. The rules, updated in September 2023, now protect all roadside workers, including snowplow operators and maintenance crews. Fines for violations start at $243 with three demerit points and increase significantly with speed. The Province has launched a public awareness campaign and implemented tougher penalties to ensure compliance and improve safety.

Last Week In Airdrie:

• A progress report on the Inspire Library and Multi-Use Facility said the project is progressing well, with construction on track and within budget ahead of its planned opening in September 2025. Interior work is underway, including painting, millwork, tile, and glass installation, while exterior cladding is nearly finished. The public art piece “From Earth to Sky” is expected to be installed soon. The City highlighted construction details, such as 10,000 sq. ft. of glass and over 3,300 m² of concrete poured in the parkade. Sustainability was a key priority, reflected in the building’s design, materials, and landscaping. The 73,000 sq. ft. facility will house the Airdrie Public Library and offer arts programming, digital media spaces, multipurpose rooms, and community events.
  
  
• Parents of Rocky View Schools students hoping for easier school transfers were disappointed after a tied vote defeated a proposal to give the Superintendent sole authority over Out of Attendance Area appeals for 2025–2026. The motion, brought forward in response to a surge in appeals following controversial boundary changes in Airdrie, aimed to streamline decision-making and ensure consistency. While two-thirds of current appeals have been approved, many are still under review, and officials expect more to come. Trustees were divided, with some expressing concern about transparency and Board accountability, while others supported centralized decision-making for efficiency. Ultimately, without the Board’s approval, the current appeals process remains in place.
  
  
• The Airdrie Legion held a candlelight ceremony to mark the 108th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Community members, local officials, and veterans gathered at Branch 288 to honour the sacrifices made by Canadian soldiers. Mayor Peter Brown and MP Blake Richards attended, and the ceremony featured a poem, a wreath-laying, and the lighting of candles. The evening concluded with the singing of the national anthem and a reception for attendees.