City council directed staff to look into a bylaw to establish the Airdrie Combat Sports Committee.
The committee would sanction amateur and professional boxing, mixed martial arts and wrestling in Airdrie. A bylaw is required so that future events are recognized as sanctioned.
“We wanted to get the bylaw passed so the events can be properly governed through the City,” said Rick Calder, founder of Airdrie Combat Sports Committee.
“We are trying to protect the athletes here.”
Calder said the Town and Country Centre has hosted events but there is limited capacity at that facility.
“The City has world-class sports facilities at the Genesis Place that can hold world-class events,” he said.
“To be able to come into Genesis Place would be wonderful. Airdrie could be a premier event town. People from all over could come and compete. This would bring in money for hotels and restaurants.”
“I support what you are trying to do and I am a fan of these arts,” said Mayor Peter Brown.
“I think this could be great for the community.”
Alderman Ron Chapman asked what other communities in Alberta have a similar bylaw. Calder listed Red Deer, Lethbridge, Edmonton, Calgary and Medicine Hat as having combat sports bylaws.
Alderman Kelly Hegg said he supports grassroots initiatives.
“Something we are pretty proud of in Airdrie is the fact that most things that come to council are grassroots,” he said.
“In the spirit of doing the right thing, I will make a motion that staff gather information and prepare a report for council and a bylaw if necessary.”
Local youth will have the chance to see what the mayor does first hand. City council approved the Airdrie Youth Strategy Mayor for a Day Challenge.
The Hyjinx Youth Council, a City-organized youth group composed of 14 members, developed the Mayor for a Day Challenge that will encourage students in grades 6 to 12 to enter to win the chance to spend the day with the mayor.
“Students will submit ideas on projects or initiatives that they feel would improve the community,” said Robbie White, community developer of youth with the City.
Previously known as the Mayor’s Challenge, this initiative was renamed by Hyjinx as the Mayor for a Day Challenge after the group met with Brown in October.
“As motivation to have youth submit entries, there will be incentives offered beyond the consideration of the entrants’ ideas,” said Courtney Gour, Hyjinx member.
“The individual in each category (middle school and high school) with the winning selection will win an Apple iPad 2 and the opportunity to spend the day as the mayor. During this day, the winner will have the opportunity to gain a better understanding of how the City of Airdrie functions and what processes their idea must go through before being approved.”
City staff, council members and Hyjinx will select the winners. Hyjinx and City staff will research the winning ideas and findings will be reported back to council with a staff recommendation on whether or not the idea could be implemented.
The contest will be open on Jan. 23 with a deadline of Feb. 29. Application forms can be found at www.airdrie.ca, picked up at City hall and will be distributed at local schools.
City council approved the creation of a transit customer advisory group to provide input on how to improve the customer experience.
“This will make transit more attractive,” said Chris MacIsaac, transit coordinator.
“We will look at everything we do and how we can improve it to reengage with our customers.”
The group is not anticipated to have an impact on the 2012 operational budget as a membership is based on volunteer community members.
Airdrie Transit currently uses a number of tools to improve two-way conversation with customers such as customer satisfaction surveys and social media including the launch of Airdrie Transit’s Twitter account and the Airdrie Transit blog. The department has also taken part in public consultations and a number of community events such as the Home and Garden Show and the Seniors Outreach Session.
“People like to take ownership of things they are passionate about,” said MacIsaac.
“We are looking forward to making changes.”
He said some of the responsibilities of the group would be to help create and tweak marketing campaigns and bus schedules.
“I like the fact that we are bringing in people from all walks of life,” said Brown. “It is a really diverse group.”
If you are interested in being a member of the transit customer advisory group in February, visit www.airdrie.ca or contact the City at 403-948-8800.
