Airdrie Minute: Water Restrictions, Park Renaming, and Scooter Changes Coming

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

This Week In Airdrie:

• Airdrie is making changes to e-scooter parking as the City enters the final year of its pilot program with providers Neuron Mobility and Bird Micro-Electric Mobility. Unlike Calgary's e-scooter corrals, Airdrie will implement parking zones at popular locations, starting with Genesis Place. These designated zones, marked on a map, aim to improve safety and convenience while reducing improper parking. As the program progresses, more zones may be added based on usage data. With complaints down this season, Airdrie City Council will review the pilot’s results at summer's end to determine the future of e-scooters in the city.
  
  
• The City will be providing $61,000 to support a new Habitat for Humanity project, which aims to build 11 three-bedroom townhomes in the Bayview community for working families. While Habitat for Humanity initially requested $375,000, the City's total net contribution, including incentives other than direct funding, will be $100,500. The project targets families earning between $40,000 and $60,000, offering a $0 down payment and 0% interest mortgage. The homes are expected to be completed by next fall, with Habitat working to raise additional funds amid rising construction costs.
  
  
• Today, we’re back to Stage 4 outdoor water restrictions due to repairs on Calgary’s water feeder mains. With the Bearspaw Treatment Plant's output drastically reduced, Calgary will limit water consumption to 450 million liters per day, significantly below the usual summer demand. Restrictions will include bans on outdoor watering, pool filling, and non-essential water uses until September 23rd. Residents are being asked to reduce indoor water use by 25% and to collect rainwater for outdoor needs. Calgary officials warn that if residents in affected areas, including Airdrie, fail to comply with these restrictions, it could lead to a chain reaction of water shortages in reservoirs. This may result in reduced water pressure and increase the risk of water contamination, potentially triggering a boil water advisory that could last for several months.

Last Week In Airdrie:

• The City said that Ed Eggerer Athletic Park will have its artificial turf ready for use by the first week of September, just in time for the high school football season. The $4.6 million project, which began in April, aims to increase prime-time field capacity by over 615 hours annually, particularly during spring and fall. The new turf will replace the inconsistent natural grass and will be equipped with overhead lights to extend playing hours into the evening. While the Rocky View County Recreation Governance Committee approved a grant covering six percent of the cost, the City of Airdrie is funding the remainder.
  
  
• City Council has endorsed a project to create a Wildfire Preparedness Guide and approved a grant application through the Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta FireSmart Program. Deputy Fire Chief James Kostuk highlighted that, despite Airdrie not being heavily forested, the community faces a moderate wildfire risk due to grasslands. The guide will focus on efficient resource use, community protection, and consistent emergency response to mitigate wildfire impacts. The project is expected to receive between $30,000 and $40,000 in grant funding, with no matching funds required from the City. Public engagement will be a key component of the guide.
  
  
• Airdrie’s Veterans Memorial Park has been renamed "Field of Valour" Park following a recommendation by the Airdrie Legion. The new name reflects the inclusion of first responders - such as fire, police, and EMS - alongside veterans, with plans for a monument to honour local heroes. The Legion, collaborating with officials from various emergency services, is fundraising to design and build this monument. The park, originally named Veterans Memorial Park in 1986, will have appropriate signage installed by 2025.