Organizers turned sod on the city of Airdrie’s first Habitat for Humanity project, Oct. 6.
The ceremony, which took place in Bayside at the future site of the duplex was attended by representatives from Habitat for Humanity Calgary, the City of Airdrie and national and local sponsors.
Members of Airdrie Faith Build, the local organization that spearheaded the project several years ago, were also in attendance.
“We are so excited about the build because it is the first build in Airdrie and it has been such a grassroots movement,” said Leslie Tamagi, Habitat for Humanity Calgary’s president and CEO. “Some people had a vision three-and-a-half years ago and worked towards it.”
Airdrie resident Linda Ray along with her husband Laurence, was instrumental in the Habitat announcement.
First motivated by a deep belief that everyone deserves a home, Ray founded the Airdrie Faith Build organization.
That organization, which started with the vision of building one home, has raised both awareness and money for the project through local fundraising events.
That money and control of the project has been given to Habitat for Humanity Calgary, the organization the Airdrie group chose to align with.
“It is fabulous news,” said Ray. “It has been a long process... but we feel really excited. We have something tangible now, until now it has been just an idea.”
The project will be completed by next summer and the duplex is anticipated to be certified Platinum through the Built Green Canada program, which will reduces utility and water costs.
Habitat is currently looking for two local families to partner with the organization. The families will each put 500 hours of labour into the project before moving into their homes.
“These are people that people know,” said Tamagi. “They will be your neighbours and they will be very deserving families that just need a hand up.”
The Airdrie development will bring Habitat Calgary’s home count up to 120.
Habitat for Humanity previously proposed a controversial multi-family project in the Airdrie’s Canals community.
However, that project, which was approved by Airdrie City council despite opposition from the community, was abandoned.
Tamagi said Habitat wanted to start smaller so that everyone could get behind the organization.
“We chose a new style of building that is smaller and we really want the people to be involved,” she said.
Mayor Peter Brown attended the groundbreaking ceremony and praised Habitat Calgary and members of Airdrie Faith Build for continuing to work towards homes for families, despite the obstacles.
“They worked through the challenges and now we are standing in front of two beautiful lots,” said Brown. “It is amazing how big of hearts we have here in Airdrie.”
Ray agreed, saying she expects people to be behind the project.
“We have had nothing but good support from the community from the get-go,” she said.
“We believe people know we are out there and are behind us. People are really excited to see it get in the ground.”
Airdrie Faith Build is currently organizing the next fundraising event. This year’s Diamonds and Denim Gala will be held Nov. 4 in the Overtime Lounge at the Ron Ebbesen Arena.
Organizers are hoping to raise $15,000 towards the project at the event, which will include a prime rib dinner, a live and silent auction and a dance.
For more information, contact Airdrie Faith Build at 403-948-1486 or visit www.habitatcalgary.ca
