Mayor Peter Brown, speaking to members of the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce June 15, said he thinks the city is in good shape, despite the downturn in the Alberta economy.
“My message to you guys is, yes, it’s difficult out there. As much as it’s tough out there, there’s still a lot of stuff going on,” Brown said during his State of the City address to a sold out crowd at Woodside Golf Course. “It’s an interesting market we’re in right now.”
Brown outlined some of the work being done by the City to address issues such as transportation, healthcare and intermunicipal affairs.
Work on a bridge over the CP Rail tracks at 40th Avenue is already underway, according to Brown, which will help to alleviate some of the traffic congestion in south Airdrie. An additional lane coming off Highway 2 onto Yankee Valley Boulevard is expected to be finished by the end of 2016.
Construction of an interchange with Highway 2 at 40th Avenue still has not been approved by the Province, but Brown said he is encouraged by recent discussions with Alberta Transportation.
“When that bridge (over the CP Rail tracks) is done, we can move forward on 40th Avenue and we can build an underpass,” he said. “I don’t know the time frame, but it’s certainly in the next five years.”
Vesta Properties, which will be building a new development in the south, adjacent to Highway 2, has agreed to build a temporary on-ramp southbound onto Highway 2. Brown said that should be completed by summer 2017.
On the healthcare front, Brown said he expected there to be an announcement soon regarding an interim solution to Airdrie’s urgent care situation.
“We have a health park committee. Everyone knows we have the Airdrie Health Foundation. So many people are working on behalf of us,” he said. “We’re going to have some great announcements coming up.”
Brown said the Province’s own financial issues makes it difficult for the city to advocate for spending money on much needed healthcare in Airdrie, leading to a made-in-Airdrie solution.
“(The Province has) already agreed they’re going to have an interim solution for 24-hour healthcare. That hopefully will get announced in the next couple of months,” he said. “(It will be) created by our local physicians in conjunction with Alberta Health Services.”
At the Provincial level, Brown said work was underway to introduce a Growth Management Board, which would bring neighbouring municipalities together to work on common issues.
“I never was a guy to be fond of another level of government but this particular one is necessary to maximize your opportunities, because if we’re not working together, we’re wasting tax dollars,” he said.
Brown praised the efforts of City staff.
“It’s been an amazing experience being mayor. I get to work with the very best people. The people who work at the City are committed, they love the community,” he said. “I really appreciate the work the City of Airdrie does for you guys every day.”
Brown said to him, Airdrie is about the people.
“What do you think about when you think about Airdrie? What are we all about?” he said. “I always say the same thing, we’re all about people.”
