With a population now surpassing 70,000 residents, Airdrie is on its way to becoming the fifth largest city in Alberta – and with this growth comes challenges. But, according to Mayor Peter Brown, it’s nothing the City can’t handle.
“When I became the mayor, I think we were number nine or number 10,” he said. “It’s a very cool thing. It’s brought a lot of great opportunities, a lot of business, a lot of employment, a lot of great entrepreneurs – but it’s also come with a few obstacles. All in all, though, I think we’re in a good place.”
One of the more significant impacts of the expanding population, Brown said, is increased traffic. Navigating from one side of the city to the other can be difficult, he admitted, but one of the City’s major efforts of 2019 was the continued advocation for the 40 Avenue interchange – a project initiated in 2016 to eventually link 40 Avenue with Highway 2.
“Obviously, the new provincial government was a big thing…you spend five years lobbying for 40 Avenue, our much-needed overpass, and now you have a new government to deal with,” he said. “But so far, we’ve had a couple of good meetings with the Minister of Transportation, and hope that will continue as we move forward.”
Airdrie does now have the advantage of two local representatives on the provincial level, since this year’s election marked the first the city was split into two ridings – which Brown said means two members of the Legislature are advocating on behalf of Airdrie’s interests.
Other important milestones the community experienced in 2019, according to Brown, include the introduction of new community arts initiatives like Music in the Park, the selection of a site for the city’s new library facility, ongoing improvements to downtown utility infrastructure and the installation of a massive rooftop solar system at Genesis Place Recreation Centre – currently the largest in Canada.
In 2020, he said, the City will be looking to the construction of more affordable housing units, pushing for provincial funding for the 40 Avenue interchange and improving the municipality’s communications plan to generate “more robust engagement.” Key obstacles for the future, Brown said, include the possibility of less revenue from the new Government of Alberta and slowing development.
“I’d say our construction numbers are going to stay the same and possibly go down next year,” he said. “There’s been some new commercial sites, but it’s certainly challenging, economically. That’s the reality in which we live right now, so you just try and do your best to manage it.”
With this in mind, he said, the City aims to support local business wherever possible, and added he hopes residents will “stay positive” about the future.
“Let’s hope next year brings better for everyone,” he said. “I wish everybody a very safe, healthy and prosperous 2020.”
