Note: This is not sanctioned by the City of Airdrie or any of the community organizations or businesses. Most (if not all) of the following information is from the Airdrie Community Resource Book and the Airdrie Census Results 1994.
Airdrie is one of the many communities surrounding Calgary (others include Strathmore, Okotoks, Bragg Creek and Cochrane). Airdrie is a small city of about 14,500 on Highway 2, 10 kilometres (6 miles) north of Calgary in south-western Alberta. Airdrie has the best of small town living and the big city combined into a friendly community. Airdrie, like Calgary, has easy access to many of the natural, historical and cultural wonders of Alberta. At an elevation of 1089m (3573ft), it is the highest city in Alberta (if not in Canada). For those globally inclined, Airdrie is located at 51.1 degrees North and 114 degrees West.
The weather in the Airdrie area can vary quite dramatically, from lows reaching -40C (albeit rarely) in the winter,to highs in excess of 30C in the summer. Airdrie is close enough to Calgary to share the "Chinook" winds that periodically come from the mountains during the winter which can cause the temperature to rise by more than 15C in just a few hours.
The next time your are on Highway 2, stop in Airdrie for a visit instead of zooming by (but don't go to fast or the local RCMP may catch you :-).
A Brief History
Airdrie appears to have been named about 1889 by William McKenzie, who was a contracting engineer for the Calgary and Edmonton Railway. He named it after village northeast of Glasgow in his native Scotland.
The exact meaning of the name is subject to debate, but historians seems satisfied that the true meaning is "the King's Height". The Scottish town is the site of the Battle of Ardryth in 577 A.D. This battle secured the independence of the Kingdom of Strathclwydas for over 400 years.
The first residents of Airdrie were the workers on the Calgary and Edmonton Railway, completed in 1891, who lived at the station house. Located a day's ride north of Calgary, there was soon a stopping house and by 1900 a post office was established, eliminating the "hit and miss" service that was previously provided by throwing a mail bag off at the railway crossing if anyone happened to be in sight.
1901 saw the first private house erected. Airdrie's growth continued and by 1909, when the Village was incorporated, there were 31 houses and an assessed value of more than $100,000. Names of many public facilities commemorate early pioneers and their families. Muriel Clayton Elementary School is named after the area's first "School marm". Edwards Elementary School is named after the first doctor, and Fletcher Park is named after an early pioneer family still to be found in the area.
The Village grew slowly over the next 50 years, increasing from 250 people in 1911 to 309 in 1959. The early sixties brought renewed growth and by 1963, the population had more than doubled to 678.
Through the late 1970's and early 1980's, unprecedented "boom" growth led to the start of residential development on the east side of Highway 2, and the mushrooming of the town population to over 10,000 by the end of 1982.
In January 1985, Airdrie officially became Alberta's 14 City with a population of 10,264. The 1993 City population was 13,586 and 1994 is 14,506.
For a more complete history, read the book "One Day's Journey" by Rev. Stephen Wilkes.
Upcoming events include
The City administration office is located on the 2nd floor of the Town Centre at 125 Main Street. All City offices and facilities may be reached by dialling 403 948-8800. City offices are open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. City services include Public Works, Emergency Services, Parks & Recreation, Community Resources Unit, Airdrie Transit, Planning Department, Bylaw Enforcement, Economic Development and Library.
The 1995 property assessment totalled $671,348,633. There are 4,789 dwellings for the 14,506 people in Airdrie. Over 30% of the employed residents are employed in Airdrie and almost 60% are employed in Calgary, with the remainder employed elsewhere. The employment nature covers the following areas: Agriculture & Forestry; Mining & Oil; Manufacturing; Construction; Transportation, Communication, Utilities; Retail and Wholesale Trade; Finance, Insurance, Real Estate; Professional Services; Government; Education, Health & Social Services; Accommodation & Food; Personal Services.
Airdrie has many recreation program for all ages of the community. Activities are varied and include mixed volleyball, hockey (Minor, Old Timer, Midget AA), baseball (ladies recreational fastball, little league, mixed slowpitch, softball), wrestling, badminton, BMX, bowling, curling, golf, gymnastics, judo, ringette, soccer, synchronized swimming, rodeo and others.
Facilities in the City include 2 arenas (3 ice surfaces), aquacentre, wading pool, gym facilities, Fletcher Park ball diamonds, other ball diamonds and soccer fields, tennis courts, a pathway system for jogging, walking or biking, a curling rink, and a 400 seat Theatre. There are many other recreation and entertainment sources such as bowling, cinema (less expensive than Calgary), the Nose Creek Museum and Nose Creek Park in which there are picnic facilities and a band stand.
There are churches of many denominations and many clubs and services groups: Royal Canadian Legion Branch 288, Rotary Club, Kinsmen, Lions & Lioness Club.
Airdrie is currently represented by Myron Thomson (Reform), Member of Parliament for the Wild Rose constituency and Carol Hayley (Progresive Conservative) Member of the Alberta Legislative Assembly for Three Hills constituency.
Check the official Airdrie WWW Site
Last updated on 97/06/20