airdrielife summer 2007 by airdrielife magazine

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www.airdrielife.com

AirdrieLIFE THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO LIFE IN THE CITY OF AIRDRIE

Airdrie is a great place to grow a family!

Inside this issue: AirdrieWORKS special section, updated community profiles, on the edge with gymnastics and much more!

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AirdrieLIFE

Volume 3 • Number 2 PUBLISHER EDITOR EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS

Welcome to Airdrie

he City of Airdrie celebrated many successes in 2006. In order to help Airdrie City Council and the City of Airdrie meet some of the challenges during this time of exceptional growth, we asked our citizens and business community to assist us in coming up with solutions and ideas. A number of open houses and focus groups were held throughout the year to get community input. For this we are very thankful. Airdrie is still experiencing phenomenal growth due to Alberta’s hot economy. Our population grew to 29,035 in 2006, a 7.26 percent growth rate, and we are expecting similar growth in 2007.

This year will see further alleviation of traffic issues due to the redevelopment of the north and south interchanges. The City of Airdrie will continue to work with Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation to plan for future upgrades. Council is dedicated to ensuring public safety and easing traffic congestion. All the upgrades you will see are part of a much larger ten-year transportation master plan which identifies network requirements for a 35,000 and 55,000 population. City Council has been working on bringing improved access to community health and affordable housing for the last few years. We were successful in working with the Calgary Health Region to bring improved after-hours health care services to our community. This year residents can access non-urgent evening and weekend care at the clinic in the Airdrie Regional Health Centre. City staff and community volunteers also have been working diligently this year on research for affordable housing options to ensure that if someone wishes to live in Airdrie, we have the housing for them. As the residential base of the Airdrie economy continues to grow the department of economic development is ensuring that the commercial and industrial base keeps pace. In 2006 the department worked with the business community and other partners to develop a three year economic development strategy. The strategy is called the Sustainable Prosperity Economic Development Strategy and focuses on four key areas: Business Development, Healthy Communities, Sustainable Business and Investment Attraction. It proposes a healthy balance between working with the existing business community and attracting new business to the community. 2006 was a year of great beginnings, 2007 promises to unfold further accomplishments shared by Airdrie’s residents.

Mayor Linda Bruce

AirdrieLIFE • summer 2007 • volume 3

PRODUCTION MANAGER LISTINGS CO-ORDINDATOR

FROG INC Sherry Shaw-Froggatt Linda Fletcher Michelle Anderson Kim Williams Renee Doucette

For editorial inquiries: email: airdrielife@shaw.ca For advertising inquiries: email: airdrielife@shaw.ca City Contacts: Kent Rupert Tara Richards 948-8800 Printing: Calgary Colorpress

AirdrieLIFE is published twice per year by Frog Inc in conjunction with the City of Airdrie Economic Development Department. AirdrieLIFE is distributed each spring and fall to homes in Airdrie and surrounding communities. AirdrieLIFE can be viewed online at www.airdrielife.com Additional copies are available at Airdrie City Hall 400 Main Street Airdrie, Alberta T4B 3B4 The publisher does not assume any responsibility for the contents of any advertisement and all representations of warranties made in such advertising are those of the advertiser and not of the publisher. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, in all or in part, without the written permission of the publisher.

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AirdrieLIFE Contributors Table of A magazine is only as good as the people who make it happen! Stacey Carefoot, a fourth generation writer; has called Airdrie home since 1999 (with the exception of a short yet eye-opening stint in Northern Alberta). Her articles and feature stories have appeared in numerous publications both locally and nationally. She believes that everyone and everything has a story that needs to be told. Stacey enjoys life in Airdrie with her husband Dan and their two incredible kids MacAulay and Madison.

Contents A Cut Above – Andrew Engelleder

On The Edge – with the Airdrie Edge Gymnastics Club

Community Profiles – Your community updated in our exclusive profiles

The Green Team –

Alex Frazer-Harrison

is a freelance journalist and book editor based in Calgary. His work has appeared in the Calgary Herald, Edmonton Journal, and numerous magazines in Alberta, BC, the US and the UK. He also edits books for a major Canadian publisher and writes for University of Calgary External Relations. Alex has had the opportunity to write about Airdrie on the local, provincial and national scale over the past year.

Airdrie Parks staff keep the City blooming

Calendar of Events – we’ve got a long list!

A Closer Look at RJ Hawkey School

City Map a handy centre spread

CondoLIFE – advice and news you can use

Airdrie History – our regular feature from the Nose Creek Valley Museum

Kristy Reimer holds a bachelor’s degree in pho-

City Hall Information

tography from the Alberta College of Art and Design. She specializes in alluring wedding and commercial imagery. Kristy has lived in Airdrie for three and a half years now and loves Airdrie because there are minimal traffic jams and everything is close to get to. www.kristyreimerphotography.com.

Transit Map

Recycling News

Get Involved – a list of community groups

Support Services – where to get help

Get Active! Join a sports organization

Get Wet!

Joan Bell, owner of Airdrie Yoga Studio, has lived in the Airdrie area for the past 15 years and enjoys the vibrancy of this young city. An avid belly dancer and practicing yogi, Joan is constantly amazed by the creativity and energy of Airdrie’s many women entrepreneurs.

Alan Tennant

has been a REALTOR® in Airdrie since 1985. Before that he was Publisher of the Airdrie Echo and served as President of the Airdrie and District Chamber of Commerce. Alan served as 2006 President of the Canadian Real Estate Association, 1998 President of the Calgary Real Estate Board and was CREB’s REALTOR® of the Year in 1995. Alan was named Airdrie’s Volunteer of the Year in 2005 and says the best thing about life in Airdrie is the people!

AirdrieLIFE • summer 2007 • volume 3

The summer schedule for East Lake Wellness & Recreation Centre

Mine – “Do what you love...”

AirdrieWORKS A Vision for the Future

A Ripped Idea

Homegrown Success

On the Air

Bike Night

Women at Work

WORKspace

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AirdrieLIFE... is a cut above

hat’s next – when you’ve gone cycling with Lance Armstrong and scouted by a Beverly Hills Salon? For Andrew Engelleder you “do what you love and the money will follow.” As a kid, BMX biking was used to distract him from trouble. Anyone who knows Andrew… knows nothing is done halfway. As a competitor: he was the provincial champion at 12, a serious threat at all Canadian and US competitions by 14. He won every event he entered. Then he got bored. “I was very competitive and needed a challenge so I tried half pipe competitions,” he says. Half pipe (ramps) was so new that he was inventing tricks while learning. He turned pro at 16, complete with sponsors and opportunities to test new bikes. Now a world traveler, he placed second overall at the World Championships during Expo ‘86. That fall, as Canada’s representative, he placed third at the European Championships in England. An obscure fact is Andrew’s stint as an extra and stunt rider in the movie “RAD”.“The movie is awful,” Andrew’s wife Nikki laughs, “but Andrew can point himself out in almost every scene.” Needing another challenge, Andrew turned to mountain bike competitions – a more physically demanding sport racing downhill and cross country. Andrew was an elite performer, riding with Lance Armstrong (his fitness levels were on par with Armstrong’s: racing weight = 145 lbs, body fat = 3%), and competing in the Canada Cup series.

In 1996, Andrew was an alternate for the Olympic team in Atlanta. But fate intervened. The Olympic team knew Andrew had developed sports-related arrhythmia; they still wanted him on the roster. When the chance came to take a spot on the team, the team organizers declined and Andrew’s Olympic dream crashed. Hanging up his bike permanently after placing sixth at the Canadian Nationals in Whistler BC, at 26,Andrew had to decide what to do with his life. “Riding had been a full-time passion and lifestyle—I had no backup plan,” he admits. Years of competing in Victoria connected him to fellow riders, who were also hair stylists. Accepting the invitation to “come by the shop,” he checked it out and sensed immediately this may be his next passion. Styling hair? “I’ve always been creative, even in high school I knew

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I wanted to work with my hands but I didn’t want to be a mechanic and, coming out of James Fowler High School in Calgary, well that wasn’t an option,” he grins. He started learning the hair profession while still riding to “fulfill my right brain thinking.” Andrew exploited the same competitive drive from his biking career, when training at the salon. He was fortunate to train with serious mentors, like Chris Baron (Global Artistic Director of Redken) and Nick Arrojo (starring in “What Not to Wear”). At a KMS product convention in Las Vegas, a major Beverly Hills salon noticed Andrew’s work prepping models backstage – they offered him a job. Intrigued, he traveled to LA to inspect the salon, where clients paid $250 for a haircut. “It was the ultimate turn-off,” Andrew admits, “everyone was all about their BCBG purses and had no problem dropping $500 a visit on product just because the stylist suggested it. I saw through it immediately and wondered exactly what kind of person would I become if the client was more interested in who cut their hair than the cut itself.” Andrew abandoned the opportunity, returning to Victoria to immerse himself in more training - striving to be top in his field. As in his racing days, Andrew thrived on the intensity. He recalls a one-week training session with Vidal Sassoon educators; Andrew’s every snip was monitored by three educators at once. A vivacious redhead with a dog problem was Andrew’s only work distraction. Nikki needed a new home for her rottweiler, Diesel; mutual acquaintances connected her to Andrew. Andrew adopted Diesel … casual conversations about Diesel became visits with Diesel and Andrew. Andrew and Nikki married in 2003, Diesel completed their family until his death in 2006. Andrew, Nikki, and Diesel returned to Andrew’s hometown, Calgary, in 2002 after Nikki fell in love with southern Alberta while on holiday. Andrew was welcomed at a high-end salon in Calgary, but he began feeling almost cynical of the industry.“It’s what I love and hate about hair; unfortunately where you work defines you.” To gain perspective, Andrew walked away and drove heavy equipment for a year.“That year was hell,” Nikki says,“I finally told him to just cut someone’s hair and get back in.” He did - scissors in hand – it felt right again.

Andrew and Nikki started looking for a viable place to call home and Airdrie was the best option to become homeowners. The urge to run his own shop had been plaguing him; Andrew saw the city of Airdrie as … the right time …the right place.“The clientele is here, there was a real pent-up demand for a forward thinking urban salon.Airdrie is a lot more savvy when it comes to style than some people think.” Andrew opened his salon Mezzanine Hair Studio in 2005. Nikki watching the developments realized she was unhappy with her job – in a year she opened Mezzanine Spa next door. Together they have created an urban, upscale, and much-needed service to Airdrie. But the years of intensive biking, then fifteen years of fingers curled around scissors have taken their toll on Andrew’s body. He suffers from debilitating tendonitis in his back, hands, and knees; he can not take standing all day long in the salon. Andrew has had to make the tough decision to step away from the chair and step into managing the salon and training staff more. (Days after our interview, Andrew admitted he’s delayed completely stepping away from the chair—it’s his addiction, he’ll still cut one day a week). “I have a real passion for the industry. I love what I do and to give it up completely is just not in me right now. The hardest part of this decision is not being a part of that day-to-day happiness and light you can bring into a person’s day simply by Andrew and Nikki helping them with their self-image. A great hair cut does wonders for a person’s self-esteem, ask anyone.” Although his body cannot keep up to his intensive antics, his creative brain can. Andrew’s type A personality is parlaying his ambition and drive into new projects: • Plans to open a lounge/restaurant that captures the upscale urban, west coast lifestyle • Custom paint finishing and pin striping for motorcycles (a new sideline business born out of his love for motorcycles) • Customizing bikes with a good friend. Andrew and Nikki bought their first Harleys last year. While the method of riding has changed from his BMX days, the passion remains and so do many open roads.

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On the Edge Airdrie Edge Gymnastics Club By Stacey Carefoot

sk a simple question at the Airdrie Edge Gymnastics club and it’s almost impossible to get an easy answer. What or who is the heart of this club? The coaches say the kids, the kids say the coaches and the parents say the kids, coaches and board of directors. This brings us to the conclusion that the club doesn’t have a heart, rather the Airdrie Edge Gymnastics Club is all heart. From the outside, this gym club is just like any other. It’s a place where kids go to tumble and toss themselves around, bounce on the trampoline and take a trip over the pommel horse. From the inside, the Airdrie Edge Gymnastics Club is nothing short of a micro-community made up of various personalities, families, leaders and followers. To the layman, gymnastics is just like any other sport. Hockey is hockey, golf is golf, soccer is soccer and so on; however, gymnastics is divided into distinct disciplines and groups with each playing an equally important but different role in the club’s success. The three divisions at the Airdrie club are: recreational, artistic and T&T (trampoline and tumbling). Upwards of 600 athletes pack themselves into the current gym on a weekly basis to partake in one of the three divisions. The recreational program is the club’s largest and most varied program with over 400 participants per session. Recreational students range in age from 18 months to adult. “The kids who

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___________ “It takes a lot of heart to be a part of this coaching staff.” ___________

make up the club are at the heart,” says Amber Murphy.“Without the kids here, the place is silent, no movement but that’s what we’re about,” she continues. Murphy, head coach of the recreational program is one of the newest members to the coaching department of the club but brings with her over 14 years of coaching experience. An elementary school teacher by trade, Murphy has chosen to make gymnastics her

full time career. Recreational athletes come to the gym for a wide variety of reasons. Gymnastics is an activity in which small children can become involved very early in life and for many it’s an after-school sport that offers participants an opportunity to learn new skills, keep physically active and improve self- esteem. The Artistic division sees its athletes training and competing in four different events including vault, bars, beam and floor. There are currently 22 athletes training in artistic and they range in age from 5 to 13. At the helm of this discipline is artistic head coach Amber Younger. Younger, a provincial level athlete herself, has been coaching with Airdrie Edge for seven years and also serves as a provincial level 4 judge. It’s this abundance of commitment to the club as well as the sport which shows that it takes a lot of heart to be a part of this coaching staff. The third discipline, T&T, has grown to 33 athletes who train and compete in the events of power tumbling, trampoline and double mini. It could be argued that this discipline is the one that gets the most notoriety because of the emphasis on acrobatic difficulty. T&T athletes, not unlike athletes in other disciplines, work hard to develop strong, flexible and fit bodies. However, because of the risky moves and high degrees of difficulty,T&T athletes also must possess a healthy disregard for life and limb. volume 3 • summer 2007 •

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face higher levels of competition and to gain exposure outside their own After a visit to the club it’s obvious there are two individuals who stand country. out from all the rest. Not because they’re trying to, not because they’re looking for attention, but because these athletes are amazing. If the They attribute their own success to what they believe is the heart of the club doesn’t have just one heart, it certainly does have two jewels: Erica Airdrie Edge Gymnastics Club: T&T head coach, Jamie Atkin. Hart and Julie Warnock. Hart, 19, and Warnock, 23, are deeply “Airdrie is definitely the only place I would engrossed in the sport of T&T gymnastics. train,” says Hart, a business student at SAIT. Training five days a week, these two athletes ___________ “If Jamie were to go, we’d be gone,” she have reached world-class status and have sucexplains, speaking directly of her respect for cessfully competed in far away locations Atkin and his coaching style. including Russia, Australia, France and Italy. “These two athletes have This travel experience has given Hart and reached world-class status.” Atkin joined the club in 1994 with plans to stay only one year. He attributes his longevity Warnock their best life experiences to date. ___________ with the group to “the wonderful parents, “You could drop Julie and me off anywhere in staff, and athletes.” A gymnast in his own the world and we’d be okay,” smiles Erica.“We’d right, Atkin trained at the University of be able to find our way around and survive.” Calgary; however his passion has always been in coaching. This statement only scratches the surface of Hart’s confidence. Hart is touted as one of the top three trampoline competitors in the world and Warnock, a star on the double mini, holds a world record for completing the hardest routine in history. Setting their sights on world championships as opposed to Olympic status has enabled the girls to

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Growing up in Canada’s north where there was a lack of gymnastic coaches at any level, Atkin recalls his first unofficial coaching role. “I would take out gymnastics books from the library, study and perform the moves that I had seen in the pictures and then show other people

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Centre.“We’re looking forward to more space, offering more classes and not having to juggle floor space quite as much,” says Atkin when referring to a new gym more than three times the size ___________ of the current one.

how to do them.” A humble beginning for what has turned out to be a charmed career. Atkin routinely takes his coaching expertise outside of Airdrie and serves as an Alberta team coach as well as a member of the Canadian National Team coaching staff.

“We’re looking forward to more space, offering more classes...” ___________

Something the parents, athletes and coaching staff all have in common at the club is an anticipation for an increase in space when they move from their current 6,000 square feet into their new gym located in Phase II of the East Lake Recreation and Wellness

This little club that could has promised the City a deposit of $100,000 to secure their spot in the new facility and fundraising is going at full speed to come up with the dough. Although it is a high mark to meet, it’s not an impossible one especially since the Airdrie Edge Gymnastics Club has perseverance, it has strength, conviction and more than anything, heart!

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communityPROFILES

Community Profiles Summer 2007

t’s a well documented fact that 2006 was a record setting year in the Calgary region. The real estate market in Airdrie also posted a record volume with 1,019 MLS® sales last year up 5% from 2005. We also experienced a record high average sale price of $290,372 a 16.6% increase over the same time frame which continues a twelve year trend of price growth. Housing starts also reached new heights with 1,036 single family housing starts representing a huge jump from 602 a year ago. Average condo and house prices are based on average MLS® sale prices between September 1, 2006 and February 28, 2007 and were provided by Alan Tennant of RE/MAX Rocky View www.provenprofessionals.ca.

Airdrie Meadows Airdrie Meadows is a walker’s haven. Centrally located on Airdrie’s west side it’s a short walk to downtown, the malls, schools, Kinsmen Splash Park, Plainsman Arena, the Library and more. Average condo price $213,643 Average house price $280,786

Amberwoods Amberwoods in Luxstone is an exciting new community in Airdrie, featuring breathtaking views and easy access to an abundance of indoor and outdoor activities that the whole family can enjoy. This upcoming new development features a wide selection of various home styles to suit your lifestyle. Whether you are looking for a single family or semi-detached home, Amberwoods boasts a great selection of both. Duplex homes starting in the low $330s and single homes starting in the $450s.

Bayside Bayside is one of Airdrie’s most innovative new areas, thanks to an exciting blend of upscale single family homes and condos and future commercial development. Plus it’s close to the new Rocky View School Division offices. Average condo price $278,650 Average house price $424,400

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ATTENTION PROPERTY OWNERS Assessment and Taxation Notices are being mailed separately in 2007. The assessment notices were mailed to all property owners on February 27, 2007. The taxation notices will be mailed on May 28, 2007. The past year has seen significant increases in property values, in some cases values have almost doubled. It is important to realize that as assessment values increase your taxes will not increase at the same rate. From 2001 to 2006, the average single family residential market value assessment increased by 35% while total taxes have only increased by 14%. The purpose of assessment is not to reflect single sales prices, but to assess all properties at typical market value on the same valuation date, so that taxation is fairly and uniformly shared. Assessment values will be based on the typical market value of similar properties as of July 1, 2006 and will be based on the physical condition and characteristics as of December 31, 2006. The notices are being mailed separately for several reasons: • Each person’s property tax bill is based on their assessed property value multiplied by the property tax rate. The municipal tax rate will be determined by City Council in late April or early May. By sending the property assessment notices three months in advance of the property tax notices, owners will have an opportunity to review their assessments and raise any concerns they may have about their assessed property values before the taxes are calculated. • For those property owners who will experience greater than average increases in their assessed value, the earlier mailing will provide them more time to plan for possible financial impacts. • The earlier mailing will provide for a more even workload distribution of the Assessment Department staff. • Mailing the notices earlier will allow for any required corrections to the assessment roll prior to setting the tax rates. For assessment inquiries please call 948-8855. For taxation inquiries please call 948-8856.

Big Springs Big Springs is Airdrie’s most affordable neighbourhood, with a combination of starter homes in your choice of condo or townhouse style condos, single and double wide manufactured homes and single family homes. Average condo price $180,667 Average house price $256,586

The Canals The Canals is a water lovers dream. Peaceful blue canals wind their way six kilometers and flows into a five acre lake.From starter homes and condos to some of Airdrie’s most spectacular executive homes, this is an area with lots to offer. Average condo price $261,240 Average house price $377,371

Cooper’s Crossing Take a walk through Cooper’s Crossing and you’ll quickly realize why this is one of Airdrie’s most desired neighbourhoods. A well designed and beautifully landscaped six kilometer pathway system connects every corner of this hillside development. The homes and condos are in higher price range with the newest phase offering some of Airdrie’s most exclusive housing options. Average condo price $343,568 Average house price $456,655

Edgewater Living in Edgewater combines the advantages of being within walking distance to schools and shopping and being wrapped around some of Airdrie’s best greenspace. Many homes are situated overlooking Nose Creek Park, a year round gem but especially beautiful in December during the Airdrie Festival of Lights. Average house price $288,980

Fairways Fairways, on the golf course – of course. Quiet, low traffic streets meander around the west end of Woodside Golf course and create easy access to a wide range of homes from affordable condos right up to some very exclusive homes on the golf course. Average condo price $274,550 Average house price $384,267 volume 3 • summer 2007 •

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communityPROFILES Jensen Heights

Luxstone

The Jensen family lent their name to one of Airdrie’s first sub-divisions and it still maintains a strong family feel. Thanks to being next door to the Tri-Schools (all three levels of public schools) this has long been a sought after area to live. Homes range from rental apartments to executive homes in Jensen Heights – there’s something for everyone.

Luxstone is emerging as another area in Airdrie that offers something for every budget; starting with affordable condo living and starter homes right through to trade-up homes along the Canal. Plans for this area include a pond, walking trails, a nature park and soccer field.

Average condo price $246,857 Average house price $302,400

King’s Heights Make sure you take a look at King’s Heights which is Airdrie’s largest master planned community. While it is just in the early stages of development the tree lined boulevards and extensive pathway network already indicate how your family can live like royalty. Average condo price $258,171 Average house price $412,057

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Average condo price $223,412 Average house price $367,421

Meadowbrook Meadowbrook residents enjoy a quiet setting in the south east corner of Airdrie. The pathways lead to a large central park with a play structure and connects to Meadowbrook Middle School. It’s all single family homes and they range from 1980’s construction to a few years old. Many families have started in the original Meadowbrook and moved up to the newer area – they must feel at home. Average house price $346,345

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communityPROFILES Ridgegate Many people have moved into Ridgegate and settled in. It’s a compact area with low traffic streets winding around the north end of Nose Creek Park. It’s an easy walk to schools, the library and shopping – who would want to leave! Average house price $260,000

Sagewood If you are looking for something fun and interesting, then Sagewood is for you.One of Airdrie’s most talked about areas and for good reason! This is a very well designed place for young and young at heart to call home.

Morningside Morningside is Cooper’s Crossing’s new neighbour to the east and it provides great entry and middle level options for families who enjoy greenspace. Quiet streets, easy access to the QE II and gorgeous new homes are just a few of the many reasons that Morningside is a quickly emerging Airdrie neighbourhood of choice. Average house price $342,538

Old Towne Old Towne is the most commonly used name for the original Airdrie town proper. In addition to being centrally located residents enjoy living close to the“Tri-Schools”, the Plainsman Arena and Waterpark and having the largest lots in town! Average house price $296,804

Average condo price $251,995 Average house price $369,321

Silver Creek There’s lots of excitement at the north end of Airdrie. Residents of Silver Creek enjoy condo living and a variety of single family home options such as coach houses (legal suites as part of the rear garages), starter homes and upscale homes backing onto the greenspace. Average condo price $301,500 Average house price $354,400

Stonegate Stonegate is also at the north end of Airdrie and has become very popular with young families thanks to the quiet, curving streets and play structures. Plus it’s home to some condos and attached homes that blend in very nicely. Average condo price $263,150 Average house price $335,579

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communityPROFILES Nose Creek Overlooking the fountains in Nose Creek is something the residents of Summerhill really enjoy, especially in the winter when skating on the creek is very popular. Plus this area is home to AE Bowers Elementary School and is next door to the Nose Creek Valley Museum. Average house price $287,909

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communityPROFILES Sunridge Families who call Sunridge home may be small in number but certainly large in their affection for this centrally located compact area. It’s close to Fletcher Park, the Tri-Schools and connects to the bike path network. Average house price $339,600

Thornburn You’ll find a single family home in almost every price range in Thorburn and no duplexes or condos. There’s lots of greenspace and easy access to schools, the Twin Arenas and the East Lake Recreation and Wellness Center. Average house price $388,351

Waterstone One of Airdrie’s not so well kept secrets is Waterstone. Tucked away just south of Summerhill this very popular neighbourhood is home to some of Airdrie’s finest homes backing onto Nose Creek. It’s very well designed and features lots of greenspace throughout. Average house price $334,900

Willowbrook Willowbrook as it’s name indicates enjoys being next to Nose Creek. From higher end homes backing onto the greenspace to condos and attached homes Willowbrook is a great place to call home. Average condo price $256,424 Average house price $321,863

Woodside Golf course living in Woodside is something special and it’s just as special for those residents of Woodside who don’t back onto the golf course. With many parks and easy winding streets it’s easy to see the attraction. Woodside is also home to many great options in senior and adult housing. Average house price $353,416

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Airdrie City Parks Department By Stacey Carefoot

t takes a proverbial army to do many of the things that keep Airdrie ticking. Parks coordinator Kevin Brinson’s army may be small, but it’s mighty and they’re the ones responsible for keeping the city neat, tidy and filled with colour during the spring, summer and fall months.“Many residents think that all we do is cut grass,” says Brinson when tackling the task of describing the role the Parks Department plays within the City of Airdrie. “We’re a lot more that mowing lawns,” he says before going on to describe the multitude of jobs City parks workers are assigned on a daily basis. From fountains to flowers, garbage to grass there are 38 seasonal and 13 full-time front line parks staff assigned to maintaining the city’s parks, sports fields, pathways and green spaces. The Parks team ranges from an on-staff arborist hired to maintain the health of the city’s trees and urban forests to summer students paying their way through university. “A strong commitment to serving the needs of the community is emphasized to all employees,” says Brinson referring to the Parks Department’s dedication to our community. When Brinson first began working for the City,Airdrie’s population hovered around seven thousand people. “We’ve had to increase service levels to meet the demands of our growing city”, he says reflecting on the city’s rapid growth.

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Increasing service levels included hiring more staff, purchasing more equipment and boosting summer hours to include a weekend crew. Although Airdrie could recently be described as a boomtown, it’s the City’s Parks Department that transforms it into a BLOOM town come spring and well into fall. To brighten up the city, the Parks Department plants over 20,000 annual flowering plants and has countless perennials in the ground scheduled to add colour to our landscape at various intervals throughout the growing season. Thirty oak barrels are placed throughout city thoroughfares dotting roadways and sidewalks with glorious colour and fragrance. Hanging baskets also adorn the downtown area and are filled with cascading blossoms. A two-person crew is dedicated to watering and weeding this important asset, however the entire Parks team lends a hand wherever needed. Airdrie boasts over 500 acres of parks land including Nose Creek, Airdrie’s feature park. A lot of mowing,weeding,weed whipping and pest control takes place throughout these parks during the summer months. Pests such as mosquitoes and gophers are monitored and kept at reasonable levels. The Parks Department also works closely with landowners when it comes to pest control, providing guidance and advice.

Over 70 sports fields also fall under the Parks Department’s care. Planning for the use and maintenance of these important spaces takes place in late winter. User groups are consulted and time is allotted according to demand and availability. In addition to all of this, the Parks Department also has an enormous commitment when it comes to the city’s school grounds. A joint use agreement with Rocky View School Division as well as the Catholic School Board sees Airdrie’s Parks Department in charge of the mowing, planting, watering and basic maintenance of the schools’ outside properties as well. All summer long there can be heard a constant humming of the over 20 lawnmowers used by the City to keep the grass at a desirable level. Rest assured that when the dust settles, winter arrives and the seasonal staff departs, the remaining Parks team does not sit idle. During the winter months this dedicated team is responsible for removing snow from over 35 pathways and sidewalks around the city, maintaining outdoor ice rinks as well as preparing for the busy months and years to come.

volume 3 • summer 2007 •

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cityLIVING

AirdrieLIFE is eventFULL!! Summer days are longer and thank goodness because we’ve got a lot of fun to pack into them:

May May 3 – 7 May 13 May 15 & 16 May 17, 18 & 19 May 16

May 25 May 26

May 26 & 27

Dance Invasion Competition at Bert Church Live Theatre. Mother’s Day - did you book brunch for mom? Boys and Girls Club Summer Camp Registration Days 948-3331. Airdrie Little Theatre Association at Bert Church Live Theatre. Airdrie Emergency Services Open House at the Main Fire Hall – check out all the gizmos and gadgets these real life super heroes use every day. Teen Toonie Night at the pool - 7:30 to 10:30pm for 11 to 17 year olds. Hey kids - learn proper bike handling skills at the Airdrie Bike Festival. 8am to 3pm. Call Municipal Enforcement for more info: 948-8892. The Airdrie Dance Academy’s 16th Annual Dance Recital at Bert Church Live Theatre.

June June 2

June 12 June 16 & 17

June 17

AirdrieLIFE • summer 2007 • volume 3

It’s the Gopher Gallup Mini Triathlon held 11am at East Lake Recreation & Wellness Centre for kids six and up. Tie your bib on! Its time for the annual Rotary Club Lobster Boil at the Town & Country Centre. Tickets for this event sell out fast so call Tony at 948-2121 to get yours. It’s a great night with BBQ steak, fresh Atlantic Canada lobster, live music and a silent auction. “Hey You Are Awesome” Workshop at the East Lake Recreation and Wellness Centre. The Star Baton Dance Club hosts this year’s recital at Bert Church Live Theatre. Also join the U6 & U8 soccer players at this year’s Timbits Mini-Fest soccer finale at the RJ Hawkey soccer fields on Saturday. Father’s Day. Get Dad out for a bike ride on the paths in Airdrie.

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June 18 & 19 June 21 June 23

June 23 & 24 June 27

June 27 June 29

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Ambition Arts Dance Studio’s Dance Recital at Bert Church Live Theatre. Summer solstice – celebrate with a neighbourhood BBQ – we’re half way to winter!!! Yahoo! Its time to think rodeo! The annual pancake breakfast at Towerlane Mall. Miss Rodeo Airdrie 2007 Contestants will be serving breakfast. It’s the U10 & U18 closing tournament at the Monklands soccer fields. Kick off this year’s Rodeo with “Are you tough enough to wear pink?” in support of breast cancer research. Daily line up includes the professional rodeo followed by the Junior rodeo and closing each night with Mark Lorenz performing live at the beer gardens. School’s out! Toonie Teen Night at the pool for 11-17 year olds.

Join other

horticultural enthusiasts Wednesday evening for garden tours throughout spring and summer. Call the Airdrie Horticultural Society for further details.

July 12

All aboard! The Iron Horse Park is a re-creation in miniature of the railway pioneer days in the Canadian West. The Park is open every Sunday until the end of October. Come ride the miniature train for only $2. July 18 It’s outside again for Airdrie Family Services Drop in program, Nose Creek Park. July 23 – 26 Broadway and Back with Music IN Common (MIC) at Bert Church Live Theatre for ages 7-11 from 10am – 3pm and ages 11-16 from 1pm – 3pm with dress rehearsal and show for both Thursday evening. Visit www.theresawasden.com for more information. July 30 – Aug 2 Rock Till You Drop music theatre with the same schedule as the “Broadway and Back” classes.

August Aug 1 Aug 4

Holiday! Relax on your deck with your new cedar furniture from the Nose Creek Valley Museum. The Airdrie Flying Club hosts the 2007 Show & Shine/Poker Run/BBQ 8am to 4pm at the Airdrie airport.

912-0559

July July 1

July 4

July 7

Canada Day Airdrie loves Canada Day – start early with the Kinsmen Breakfast at Towerlane Mall then find a piece of curb for the annual Canada Day Parade. Join the rodeo action back at the rodeo grounds at 2pm. Airdrie Family Services third annual “Roll to the Hole” takes place at Nose Creek Park, get your tickets at 945-3900. Fireworks cap the day at Nose Creek Park for Canada Night in the Park. Join Airdrie Family Services for their weekly dropin program outdoors at Nose Creek Park for a change of scenery. Golf Fore the Cure, a “ladies only” Open in support of breast cancer, shot gun at Woodside Golf Course. volume 3 • summer 2007 •

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cityLIVING Aug 5 & 6 Aug 12

Aug 15

Aug 18

Aug 24

The Woodside Shootout – come take part in a new format golf tournament Do you like hot rods and cool cars? Come to Nose Creek Park for “Doing it on the Grass” this year’s hot rod car show. It’s your last chance to take in an outdoor meeting of Airdrie Family Services drop in program at Nose Creek Park, 9:30am – 11am. Join the Calgary Police Rodeo Association for their 25th Annual Rodeo and Barn Dance in support of The Missing Children’s Society of Canada. Events take place at the Airdrie Rodeo Grounds featuring amateur contestants from all over the police community throughout Canada. In addition to the rodeo, this family-oriented event includes a children's carnival, free pancake breakfast, exhibitions and a beer garden. Also performing at 8pm after the rodeo is Nashville star Brett Barrow. Visit www.calgarypolicerodeo.com for more information. Chamber of Commerce Golf Classic at Woodside Golf Course.

AirdrieLIFE • summer 2007 • volume 3

September Sept 1 Sept 2 & 3

Sept 4 Sept 16 Sept 21 Sept 30

Visit www.airdrie.ca/arts for The Bert Church Live Theatre’s 2007 Performing Arts season Calling all men to come out for the Woodside Men’s Open presented by Nabors Canada. Shot gun start at 8am both days. Kids head back to school at Airdrie Public Schools. Terry Fox Run 1pm at the Bert Church Live Theatre parking lot. Have you signed the family up for fall activities? The Woodside Fall Finish 4 person scramble. Teams of men, women and mixed.

Looking ahead… October: Fire Prevention Week, Small Business Week November: Moonlite Madness, Santa Claus Parade December: The Airdrie Festival of Lights, New Year’s Eve at Nose Creek Got an event to list in the fall issue of AirdrieLIFE? Email us at airdrielife@shaw.ca no later than September 1, 2007, and we’ll post it!!!

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volume 3 • summer 2007 •

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cityLIVING

Education in Airdrie Public Schools A.E. Bowers [K-4] Bert Church High [9-12] Ecole Airdrie Middle [5-8] Ecole Edwards [K-4] Meadowbrook Middle [5-8] George McDougall High [9-12] Muriel Clayton Middle [4-8] Nose Creek Elementary K-4 R.J. Hawkey [K-4] Ralph McCall [K-8] Rocky View Virtual School [9-12] Rocky View School Division #4, 945-4000 www.rockyview.ab.ca

Separate Schools Our Lady Queen of Peace School [K-12]

A CLOSER LOOK RJ Hawkey Elementary Nestled neatly among the mature trees and modest homes in Airdrie’s Big Springs area sits RJ Hawkey Elementary School. With 429 students, kindergarten to grade 4, RJ Hawkey serves as the public elementary school to Airdrie’s east side residents. Visitors to RJ Hawkey are greeted at the front entrance by the school’s mission statement hung proudly on the wall. “To provide a collaborative, caring, creative environment in which children can explore their individual growth and passion for learning, preparing them for change and future challenges.” Through numerous initiatives, the staff and students at the school strive on a daily basis to honor this mission. The school has a strong focus on student leadership that is evident in the grade four leadership programs that have been instituted. “All grade four students have a choice of numerous programs that they can become involved in,” says Jennifer Saben, the assistant principal at RJ Hawkey. Programs or clubs ranging from patrolling to recycling duty help the students become involved in school activities, nurturing strong values and instilling a sense of commitment and community.

St. Martin de Porres [7-12] Calgary Roman Catholic Separate School Division #1, Calgary 298-1383 www.cssd.ab.ca

Private Airdrie Koinonia Christian School [K-12) 948-5100 www.akcs.com

Francophone École Francophone d'Airdrie 948-6995 www.conseildusud.ab.ca/airdrie

AirdrieLIFE • summer 2007 • volume 3

In addition to the three R’s and leadership the fine arts also receive a lot of attention at the school. Program coordinators, administration and teachers strive to expose students to numerous outlets that they otherwise wouldn’t be aware of. From choir concerts to professional dance presentations the arts plays a large role at RJ Hawkey. The 52 full and part time professional staff at RJ Hawkey show a deep commitment to their students. In addition to their day-to-day teaching and administration duties they dedicate their time to a large amount of extracurricular activities. Lunch hour intramurals are a popular activity offered to grades 1-4 students which help encourage physical activity and positive interaction. “Some staff members attended this school as students,” says principal Don Hoch when describing the deep seeded community values at the school.“RJ Hawkey exhibits a community school environment,” explains principal Hoch.

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cityLIVING

AirdrieLIFE is… lovin’ it High Quality of Life Still Given Top Marks esidents gave Airdrie a 91 percent rating for quality of life in the annual Citizen Satisfaction Survey, conducted by Robert Parks of Banister Research and Consulting.

older. The top five mentions included: infrastructure, traffic, roads, train tracks, and construction; rapid growth management; health care; crime; residential development; and lack of low cost housing.

Other services had consistent ratings to last year, within the statistical margin of error. The percentage of ‘good’ and ‘very good’ responses for two of the core questions were down significantly from last year, with results as follows:

"This survey provides valuable feedback on our performance," says Dorian Kachur, Business Strategy Team Leader for the City. "The information from this survey also guides decision-making, providing administration and Council with information for strategic initiatives, budget decisions and business plan priorities."

"Decreases in some service ratings and concerns expressed about growth management and quality of services merit the City’s attention, but are not entirely unexpected," says Kachur. "Residents are still giving Airdrie high marks for quality of life, which is positive given Airdrie’s extreme growth."

• Quality of life – 91% (down 5%) • Management of affairs of the community 72% (down 1%) • Efficiency of services- 74% (down 2%) • Management of community growth and development – 43% (down 10%) • Quality of services – 73% (down 10%) • Value for tax dollar – 67% (down 2%)

This year’s survey was conducted by telephone between January 8 and January 16, 2007. The survey included random telephone interviews with 400 Airdrie residents, 18 years of age or

Ratings of civic staff were also very favourable. In the section rating specific City services, the percentage of positive responses decreased significantly for RCMP, Municipal Enforcement, the City’s web site and the Public Library.

The overall Citizen Satisfaction Index was slightly lower than last year at 3.66 out of a possible 5.0 (3.8 in 2006).

volume 3 • summer 2007 •

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Condo Talk It’s no small irony that buying or selling a condominium can be a complicated real estate transaction especially when it is also the first home purchase for many people. So, when entering the condo market you’ll need to do a lot of homework. A condominium is run by a corporation and when you purchase a condo unit, you are also purchasing shares of that corporation. You wouldn’t invest your money in a company without knowing how it is run, whether it has any outstanding judgments against it, who the other owners are, etc. so why would you invest in a condo corporation without knowing the same information? It may sound tedious but verify the bylaws of the condo corp (preferably by a condo document checking company) as there may be a bylaw that would conflict with your needs or lifestyle. For example, pet restrictions can mean either pets are not allowed or some pets are allowed based on type, size, etc. There may also be an age restriction on the resident of a condo. Also, find out exactly what you are selling or buying: Is the parking stall owned (titled), leased, or assigned? Does the registered size include the garage, balcony, or storage unit? When you do own a condo unit, it’s always a good idea to keep all the newsletters and other information the condo board sends to you. It will come in handy when you decide to sell as it is the duty of the seller to provide all the necessary and relevant condominium documents for the buyer to review. Keeping the documents that get sent to you can minimize the cost of the total document package that you purchase from the management company, which can be a few hundred dollars or more. Each condominium is unique and should be treated with the utmost care and attention especially when verifying the information about the unit being offered for sale. Using a Realtor® who specializes in condos can help make your transaction as smooth as possible. Watch for the fall issue for more tips or go to www.airdrie-condominiums.com .

AirdrieLIFE • fall/winter 2006 • volume 1

AirdrieLIFE is... multiple multi-family choices By Stacey Carefoot

oung professionals, mature couples, singles, families and the first-time homebuyer are getting more options than ever before when it comes to the purchase of condominiums in Airdrie. The city’s unprecedented growth has meant sweet music to builders and developers who have stepped up to answer Airdrie’s demand for more housing. “With the way things are going with the increase in housing costs, the additional multi-family construction is not going to solve our affordable housing issue but it does improve our housing mix,” says Kent Rupert, Airdrie’s economic development and planning team leader. Rupert, speaking to the growth in multi-family housing construction in 2007, also indicated that this year the city will approve permits for over 37 million dollars in multi-family construction including duplexes and townhouses. Much of this mixed-use growth will be seen in the form of condominium developments. “Having a condo is a type of living,” explains Carrie Peddie, local realtor with Remax Real Estate Central. “Whether the style is apartment, townhouse or bungalow, condo living offers its occupants a style or form of living in which the homeowners are paying a fee for something.” Typically those fees will be for snow removal, security, and other added conveniences. Those wanting to purchase a condo in Airdrie’s market should act quickly, as these properties are selling fast and are often sold long before they’re built. The Patios of Sagewood, a Beattie Homes development will consist of 59 units

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contained within 21 buildings. Phase I starting at $265,000 has completely sold out with Phase II going quickly. Schickedanz is also believed to be on the scene with an entry-level condo development in Sagewood with their homes starting under the $200,000 mark. Multi-story condo developments under construction and near completion in the city include a new phase of Pointe of View that will see 300 suites accompanied by commercial bays. Crown Shores is set for completion of Phase I of three phases on their 11 acre parcel of land just off Veterans Blvd. These units are starting at $208,900. In its entirety, Crown Shores will encompass close to 500 units including a mature adult living complex slated for a future phase of the development. Railtown, Airdrie’s tallest condo development at six stories, is set to open soon. It will consist of 80 units in two phases and will also combine commercial spaces under the residential suites. Railtown’s developer has taken into account the building’s impact on the environment by installing water-conserving plumbing, energy-efficient lighting and rainwater capturing for irrigation and landscaping.

and marketing of the Zen project in Kings Heights by Avalon.“These condos have many distinguishing features including the fact that they follow the Built Green guidelines, so they’re extremely energy efficient,” says Elsie Sawatzky, marketing consultant speaking for Zen.“Owners of these properties can definitely expect to pay less on their utility bills,” says Sawatzky. Many of Zen’s two story townhouses are expected to be ready for occupancy immediately and are priced starting at $255,000. Luxstone’s Park Place Green is also a townhouse-style development starting in the mid- $200,000’s. On the corner of Luxstone Blvd and Luxstone Square, phase I is completely sold out with phase II close to being sold out. Not unlike the rest of the Airdrie real estate market, condo sales are red hot and don’t show any sign of letting up.When it comes to purchasing, Carrie Peddie offers this advice “The Airdrie market is going to continue to skyrocket and condos are still an affordable option.”Certified condominium specialist Gaylene Weidlich also warns condo purchasers to check into the condo development’s reserve fund as well as taking extreme caution when analyzing the condominium documentation.

Environmental impact has also played a large part in the development

volume 3 • summer 2007 •

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Advertising Feature

Blue Grass Garden Centre Got a yard? Got kids? Then you need the Rainbow Play System. This is the guaranteed way to keep your kids active and happy with year round activity safe in your own backyard. The equipment is designed to grow with your child with modular and expandable pieces that blends naturally into the landscape. Rainbow Play Systems use only 100% natural cedar and redwood guaranteed non toxic and come with a lifetime warranty. You can see the Rainbow Play System on display at Blue Grass Garden Centre (see the ad page 43).

AirdrieLIFE • summer 2007 • volume 3

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Advertising Feature

McMillan Interiors

• Children • Occasionally by Visitors/Relatives What is the feeling you want the space to reflect? • Casual or Formal • Cozy or Spacious • Warm or Cool Colour Scheme When will the space be occupied? • Morning, Afternoon, or Evening • Lighting Concerns/Exposures • Weekends and Holidays Where is the space located? • Main, Upper, or Basement Level • An Addition or Existing Area • Any Structural Changes (Floor Plan)

Home sweet home….or is it? Have you ever seen a photograph in a decorating magazine and wondered how to recreate that certain feeling or look? Whether you’ve just bought a new house or are planning on renovating/changing a current room, you can use the same tools. First you must ask yourself the 5 W’s: Who will be predominantly using the space? • Yourself or Significant Other

Why am I doing this? • Update • New Member of the Family • Your Lifestyle has Changed The most important question is your budget and time constraints. How much do you want to spend? How much will you spend? How much can you spend? Do you need it to be completed this week, month, or year? If you make a plan first, then you will save yourself both time and money in the long run.

When you are ready to hire a painter/contractor/decorator, always get at least three quotes and referrals on your project. Talk to friends and family to see if they have had firsthand experience with a professional. There will most likely be a range in pricing offered, this is when you need to do your homework and to some extent follow your instincts. Remember, this person will be spending anywhere from two hours to two months in your home, so you must feel that you can trust them to respect your property. Lastly, confirm that they have the proper insurance/coverage. Once you have answered all of the questions you now know which direction to take. Having a plan in place will make it possible to eliminate the overwhelming number of choices facing you at the beginning of your project. Tina McMillan is a Certified Interior Designer and owner of McMillan Interiors Inc. mcmillaninteriors@shaw.ca

Sova Sleep Shop Is the perfect mattress a myth? No, says Shaun Duregon, with Sova Sleep Shop in Airdrie, “If you aren’t sleeping well, you have not discovered the Sero mattress.” The key to the Sero mattress is one hundred per cent, non-synthetic Talalay latex with a pinhole design and open cell structure. The well-ventilated interior enhances air movement and dissipates heat and body moisture, resulting in a cooler sleep in the summer and a warmer one in the winter. Latex also instantly contours to your body but remembers it’s

AirdrieLIFE • summer 2007 • volume 3

shape and springs back to its original form when you move. The latex’s integrity eliminates the almost claustrophobic feeling that some people experience with a memory-foam mattress. Allergy sufferers will be interested in knowing that latex is also anti-microbial, mildew proof, and dust mite resistant. The Sero’s all-natural latex has all the resilience of its source – the rubber tree – making it the most naturally durable cushioning available. Customers are warned to expect their Sero to last up to twenty years, and

no flipping is required. Shaun Duregon’s Sova Sleep Shop is the exclusive Southern Alberta retailer of the all-natural Sero. See the Sova Sleep Shop ad on page 4.

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cityLIVING

AirdrieLIFE is honoring the past Airdrie Cemetery

he Airdrie Cemetery was first established in 1908 when the Village of Airdrie purchased ten acres of land from the farms of George Hatt and Frank Winters.

Before the Airdrie Cemetery was established, residents of Airdrie were buried either in a Calgary cemetery or somewhere on their own land. Burials on private land were a common practice for pioneer families due to the difficulty in accessing cemeteries. For Airdrie, this practice ceased when the Airdrie Cemetery was established. It was not until 1909 that the first residents of the Airdrie Cemetery were buried. Both Mrs. Mabel Gladys Dodd and Mrs. George Hatt were disinterred from the temporary cemetery located northwest of Airdrie and laid to rest in the official Airdrie Cemetery. Mrs. Dodd passed away on February 18, 1909 at the age of 22, but the cause of her death is unknown. Mrs. Hatt’s cause of death also remains a mystery. Originally, the Airdrie Cemetery Committee managed the Cemetery until 1944. However, in 1944, Mrs. W.R. Pole and Mrs. D. Clayton, two representatives of the Airdrie Cemetery Committee, met with Village councillors to request that the Village Council take over handling the cemetery account on the condition that the Cemetery account be maintained separately from the Village account. The Council agreed and maintained the Cemetery from then on. In 1912, a man named Jack Dawson was found wandering the countryside almost frozen to death. Dr. Edwards came to the rescue and treated the man before sending him on to the hospital in Calgary where he would receive the care he needed. However, Dawson soon passed away and his body was transferred back to Airdrie to be laid to rest in the Airdrie Cemetery. His grave is adorned with a marble marker sent from his mother and sister in Scotland. Within the decade, the Airdrie Cemetery would see many more residents, especially when the Spanish Influenza swept the Village in 19181919. This flu epidemic affected so many Airdrie families that the (Old) Hotel was turned into a makeshift hospital. This was critical because then Dr. Edwards could isolate the infection and treat patients in one location. However, despite Dr. Edwards’ best efforts, four residents died and were buried in the Airdrie Cemetery.

AirdrieLIFE • summer 2007 • volume 3

Additionally, there are several graves in the Airdrie Cemetery for infants. Some are simply marked“baby”with a last name. This was due to the risk involved in pregnancy and childbirth that was quite common before the advent of modern medicine. Many complications, which would be considered minor today, used to be life threatening and the many infant graves in the Airdrie Cemetery can attest to that hardship. As a result of that hardship, those babies who died soon after birth or were stillborn were rarely given a full name because families believed it was easier to grieve. Many well-known residents are buried in the Airdrie Cemetery. They include: Halvord and Bitta Kolstad, the owner of the (Old) Hotel; Nurse Kinniburgh, Airdrie’s first nurse; William and Mary Croxford who owned the second house in Airdrie; A.E. and Esther Bowers who owned the first house in Airdrie and the first General Store; Tom Flett, Airdrie’s first Blacksmith; George Hatt who owned Airdrie’s first lumberyard; and Les Farr who owned Airdrie’s first garage. Airdrie has been active in honouring many residents buried in the Airdrie Cemetery by naming certain places after them. These include the familiar street names of Flett (Airdrie’s first blacksmith), Hawkey (Airdrie’s first teacher), McCracken (Village Councillor), Farr, Jensen (early families), Edwards (first doctor and prominent family), Bowers (first house and General Store), Coopers (prominent landowner) and Thorburn (Mayor). Additionally, Airdrie named four schools after residents buried in the Airdrie Cemetery: Edwards Elementary (which was named after the entire Edwards family, not just Dr. Edwards), R.J. Hawkey Elementary, A.E. Bowers Elementary and Ralph McCall. Today, the Airdrie Cemetery has grown from its modest beginning of two people to include 2 500-2 600 graves. Thus, the Airdrie Cemetery remains an integral part of Airdrie and truly reflects the City’s heritage.

Written by Laurie Harvey With info from “One Day’s Journey”, “100 Years of Nose Creek Valley History”, Walter Bushfield, John Church, Lorne Huggard.

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AirdrieLIFE is for winners! hanks to all of our readers who entered our contests from the fall/winter issue of AirdrieLIFE.

ter than Val Hokanson, in fact she went to great lengths to share what makes Airdrie so special and we want to share it with you.

Gabrielle Loughman has great taste – she entered the Taste of Airdrie contest and won the $50 gift certificate. Gabrielle has lived in Airdrie since 1975 and chose The Homestead Restaurant for her free dinner. We had plenty of entries for this contest so watch for the next issue of Taste of Airdrie in the fall to win again.

“You know you're in Airdrie when you take your children for a walk to the east side using the overpass and allow them to wave to see who is going to honk their horn. When you get to the East Lake Recreation and Wellness Centre you know you’re in Airdrie when your six year old sees one of his classmates. After a nice quiet two hour swim, and trying to pry your children away from their new friends you stop for a snack at Wendy’s on the way home. You know you’re in Airdrie when your neighbor is working the till. While on the way home a request comes in to go see The Festival of Lights you know you’re in Airdrie when you can walk from one side of the city to the other and even to children it is not too far to walk. On the way, we stop in and pick up your eight year olds best friend and continue on. Once at

Our major contest in conjunction with Sears Airdrie required a bit of work on the contestants’ part – we wanted you to finish the sentence “You know you’re from Airdrie when…” And you came up with some great answers. Yes, the“rat hole”was a frequent joke, but everyone captured the friendly small town vibe we hold onto so dearly here and no one said it bet-

the Festival of Lights you find a group of other kids that your children know and feel safe enough to let them go off to grab some hot chocolate and talk about how they can’t wait for the Easter egg hunt in the spring. You know you’re in Airdrie when you know you will want to live here for another 20 years until your children have grown.” Val and her fiancé Ray McGill and their children Sydney, Ethan and Jesse Hokanson and Erin and Mandee McGill had fun shopping for a brand new refrigerator with their $500 dollar gift card from Sears Airdrie owner Karim Kassam.

NEW CONTESTS! B E T H E S TA R !

Would your family like to be on the cover of AirdrieLIFE? Then send us a picture of the whole crew by email so we can see who you are and tell us a little bit about each one of you. Tell us how long you’ve lived in Airdrie and what you love most about life here for your family. The winning family will receive a professional photography session and the fame and glory that comes with being the AirdrieLIFE cover family! See www.airdrielife.com for complete contest details.

AWARD WINNING TASTE IS WAITING FOR YOU! How would you like to sample all the award winning products of The Butcher Shoppe as featured in the story on page 61? Enter online at www.airdrielife.com and you could be chowing down on some incredible goodies!

The count down to the largest celebration in Airdrie’s history has begun. On September 10, 2009, Airdrie will officially be 100 years old. Last year, an enthusiastic group of community volunteers, City of Airdrie staff and an alderman began planning for Airdrie’s centennial. The goal of the project is to ensure everyone has an opportunity to contribute, helping to celebrate the people, places and things significant to Airdrie over the past 100 years. This event only comes around once every 100 years, so residents are encouraged to lend a hand and get involved. Anyone in the community is welcome to join the Centennial Committee. Different areas of projects include: historical projects, marketing, events and funding. Please call (403) 948-8800 ext 772 for more information.

Airdrie Centennial Project 2009

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AirdrieLIFE is… happening at City Hall Services: • Economic Development • Planning and Development • Building Permits • Community Services Council Meetings City Council meetings occur on the first and third Monday of each month. Meetings are open to the public and are called to order at 7:00pm in Council Chambers. If a scheduled meeting falls on a holiday, the meeting is held on the Tuesday of the same week. City Hall has two complete floors which include Council Chambers, the Office of the Mayor, the Office of the City Manager, meeting rooms, staff office space, and the reception area. Friendly and professional Customer Service personnel are on hand to deal with any inquiries or questions you may have. City Hall Customer Service Hours: 8:30am to 4:30pm Payments: • Taxes • Utilities • Ambulance • Dog Licenses • Garbage Tags

Airdrie City Hall is located at: 400 Main Street SE, Airdrie, AB T4B-3B4 403-948-8800

Looking for City of Airdrie news, information and events? We have a few information sources for you to check out: www.airdrie.ca Check out our new web site! This new web site has more City news, events and many user-friendly features. Let us know what you think of the web site and send us an email, webmaster@airdrie.ca. AirdrieToday eNewsletter Sign up for the City of Airdrie monthly eNewsletter, AirdrieToday and keep up-to-

AirdrieLIFE • summer 2007 • volume 3

date on any City events, news and information affecting your life. www.airdrie.ca Annual Community Report Take a look at the City’s Annual Community Report, mailed to every home in April and available at Airdrie City Hall, 400 Main Street. This publication highlights significant achievements from City operations in 2006 as well as a peek into the future. Other features include: what have we been doing; how the money was spent; how did we do; what we did about your concerns; assessment and taxation; economic report; how City government works; significant bylaws; and City resources. In the City Guide The In the City guide is mailed to every home in Airdrie three times a year (May, August and December) and available at all City of Airdrie buildings. If you live in Airdrie, you absolutely need this all inclusive guide to keep you and your family up-to-date and active! The guide features seasonal information on swimming lessons; fitness classes; recreation schedules; road maintenance; City events; recycling and waste information; senior and youth activities; and arena and parks operations.

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AirdrieLIFE is… environmentally focused Recycle Depot 15 East Lake Hill www.airdrie.ca Phone: (403) 948-0246 Email: environmental.services@airdrie.ca Extended Summer Hours May 1 - September 30 Monday and Tuesday, Closed Wednesday – Friday, 9 am – 8 pm Saturday – Sunday, 9 am – 5 pm Statutory Holiday Hours Call to confirm. (403) 948-0246 Materials accepted at the recycling depot Please ensure that your recycling is sorted into the following: • Cardboard and Boxboard (moving boxes, cereal boxes, coffee cups etc.) • White Office Paper (only white paper with black ink) • Coloured Paper ( flyers, magazines, catalogues,white paper with coloured ink etc) • Newspaper (newsprint and packing paper only)

• Metal (cans, pie plates etc. NO WIRE OR COAT HANGERS) • Glass Jars (no dishes, ceramics, window glass or mirrors) • Plastic Milk Jugs • Cardboard Milk Cartons • Number 2 Plastic • Number 1 & 5 Plastic • Plastic Shopping Bags (No garbage bags, heavy plastic film or food bags) • Used Motor Oil and containers (No kitchen oils or grease) • Used Antifreeze and containers • Used oil filters • Automotive Batteries • Televisions (No stereo equipment, VCRs, DVD players, Satellite or Cable Receivers) • Desktop and Laptop Computers • Computer Monitors • Computer Printers • Computer Components (Mouse , Cables, Keyboards, Modems) • Aerosol Cans • Propane Tanks • Used Clothing • Book Exchange –Please drop off books

that are in good condition; books that are falling apart or are outdated can go in the coloured paper bin. No encyclopedias or Magazines. The recycling depot is very fortunate to have VOLUNTEERS keeping the book exchange tidy, please don’t abuse their good nature. Help out by putting books on the shelves so people can read the titles. Happy Reading! Why We Take the Materials We Do It would be nice if everything we throw out could be recycled, but this is not possible.The City of Airdrie goes to great lengths to recycle as much as possible. Some materials do not have an established market; process to deal with it; or it is too cost prohibitive for recycling. This makes collection, transportation or processing too expensive. Taking materials to the Depot is the first step in a long process of getting materials recycled. Why We Separate Material The City of Airdrie asks you to separate

Residential Garbage Collection Schedule MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

Bayside

Airdrie Meadows

Big Springs

Canals

Fairways

Coopers Crossing

Edgewater

Meadowbrook

Jensen

Main Street Trailer Park

Luxstone

Old Town (Village)

King’s Heights

Sagewood

Silver Creek

Morningside

Ridgegate

Thorburn

Stonegate

Summerhill

Sunridge

Waterstone

Willowbrook Woodside

Garbage must be out by 7:00 am for pick-up! Condominium complexes and apartments are not charged for residential collection; therefore, they are not eligible for door to door pick-up.

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materials when you come to the depot. Residents help us sort all the time, but do you know why you are doing this work? Here are some of the reasons why: • To keep costs reasonable. If you don’t sort the materials, the City of Airdrie would have to pay someone else to do it for us. • Material markets demand it. When materials are recycled they are becoming a resource feedstock for a manufacturing process and many processes cannot deal with contamination (unauthorized material). • It decreases revenue. The City always strives to make sure we receive top dollar for our materials. It is part of our commitment to keeping costs reasonable. But if the material is too contaminated then the value may be downgraded or it may not be accepted at all. This means all the collecting is for nothing and the load has to go to the landfill. Seasonal Programs Toxic Round Up / Paint Exchange Runs May 1- September 30 Community Composting Runs May 1 - October 31 Transfer Site Location: Six km west on Highway 567 next to the rodeo grounds • Phone: (403) 948-0246 • Web: www.airdrie.ca The Transfer Site (the dump) is run on the user-pay system.The residential garbage utility does not support the operation of the Waste Transfer Site and it is not supported through the general tax base. Extended Summer Hours May 1 - October 1 Friday, 3:30 – 7:30 pm Saturday, 9:30 am – 4:30 pm Sunday, 12:30 pm – 4:30 pm Monday - Thursday – CLOSED

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Statutory Holidays Call to confirm. Transfer Site Rates: New Rates effective January 1, 2007: $30.00 for _ ton truck load Once a year discounted dump $10.00 for _ ton truck load (formerly spring clean up) Car and Truck Tires: First 4 free, additional tires are $2.00/tire Refrigerators and Freezers: $10.00 each (covers materials handling fee) Transfer Site Accepts Automobile Batteries Lead-acid (auto/boat) Clean Fill Loam, Clay, asphalt and concrete Scrap Metal Car parts, appliances, hot water tanks, etc. Refrigerators/freezers Clean Wood Residential construction material, trees, fences, tree limbs, shrubs and bushes (free of cloth, metal wire, etc.) Tires Household Waste Wire, mattresses, old furniture, shingles, etc. Propane Tanks How to Sort Please sort all loads into the groups indicated above prior to arrival at the site. The Transfer Site does not accept pesticides, herbicides, paint, or other chemicals and/or

their containers. These items should be taken to the Recycling Depot during Toxic Roundup / Paint Exchange May 1 – September 30. Remember to secure and tarp any materials hauled on our highways. Loads that are left uncovered may be subject to large fines. The City of Airdrie Toilet Replacement Program If you replace your old 20 Litre or 13 Litre toilet with a low flow model from the City of Airdrie’s eligible toilet list you will receive a credit on your water bill from the city. Dual flush models - $100.00 credit per toilet replaced 6 Litre models - $50.00 credit per toilet replaced To be eligible for the credit you must be replacing a 20 or 13 Litre toilet with a toilet form the eligible toilet list. This ensures that you will be purchasing a low flow model that has been found to be a reliable model based on national testing standards. If you purchase a toilet not found on the eligible toilet list you will not be eligible for the credit. Visit the City of Airdrie website at www.airdrie.ca or call Environmental Services at 948-0246 for more information on the Toilet Replacement Program.

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AirdrieLIFE is involved Airdrie residents take great pride in their community involvement – and it’s a great way to meet people and make life-long friends. Service Organizations #88 Royal Air Cadet Squadron A/Captain Carol Hartwick . . . . . . 948-7788 #3016 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps Commanding Officer . . . . . . . . . . 710-7363 Airdrie Boys and Girls Club . . . . . . 948-3331 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.abgc.8m.com Airdrie Chamber of Commerce . . . . 948-4412 . . . . . . . . . . . . www.airdriechamber.ab.ca Airdrie & District Special Olympics Kim Nicolas Box 5024, Airdrie . . . 912-7842 Airdrie Festival of Lights Society . . . 912-9627 Airdrie Girl Guides Dawn Gilchrist . . . . . . . . . . . . . 946-4262 Airdrie Mentor Foundation for Youth Leanne Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 945-2535 Airdrie Scouts 1st - Dwayne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 948-0181 2nd - Bert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 948-5016 4th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 948-5243 6th - Bea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 948-3719 . . . . . . . . . . . . Email: Chinook@scouts.ca Airdrie Breakfast Club Bonnie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 948-2121 Airdrie Volunteer First-Aid Brigade Membership and Training Lori Taylor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 420-1064 Requests for Support Kim Greenizan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 948-6977

Alberta 4-H Rob Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 948-8501 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.info@4h.ab.ca Ducks Unlimited Keith Wilson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 863-4363 Friends of the Library . . . . . . . . . . 948-2778 Junior Forest Wardens Gary Thompson . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237-1652 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.airdriejfw.ca Kinsmen Club Don Scottman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 948-6519 Knights of Columbus Mike Perri. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 948-5160 Lioness Club Cobi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 948-3253 Lions Club Dan Mckinnon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 948-5447 Nose Creek Valley Museum . . . . . . 948-6685 Optimist Club Bill Hope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 948-5207 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.optimist.org Probus Club of Airdrie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 945-0663 Rotary Club Paul Schulz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 948-8852 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.airdrierotary.org Royal Canadian Legion . . . . . . . . . 948-3000

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Hobby and Leisure Airdrie Artists Guild . . . . . Tami Hort 668-4118 Airdrie Community Choir . . . . Eileen 948-2118 Airdrie Drag Racing Team 197 Acacia Drive, Airdrie, AB, T4B 1G6 Harry Svingen . . . . . . . . . . . . . 948-2962 Ed Dyck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 948-3074 Rod Havens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 948-7214 . . . . . . . . . . . Email: heritageref@telus.net Airdrie Horticultural Society . . Tyler 912-0559 Airdrie Little Theatre Jaime Hair . . . . . . 948-6289 Cell: 606-8702 Airdrie Public Library . . . . . . . . . . 948-0600 Airdrie Rodeo Ranch Association Box 3663, Airdrie, Alberta, T4B 2B8 Clint McLeod or Sylvia Kerr . . . . 948-0512 . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.airdrieprorodeo.net Bert Church Theatre . . . . . . . . . . . 948-2153 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.airdrie.ca/arts Nose Creek Historical Society . . . . . 948-6287 Pegasus Pony Club . . Brenda Wise 935-2382 Rockyview Ramblers Square Dance Club . . . . . . . . . . . . 948-4181 The Over 50 Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . 948-0681 Toastmasters Joseph Schluter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 946-5553 Windy Ridge Riders Donna Normdon . . . . . . . . . . . . 946-5842 Woodside Seniors Club . . . . . . . . . 948-4088

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AirdrieLIFE is… enhanced with support • Airdrie Food Bank provides short-term food assistance to residents of Airdrie and outlying communities. Visit www.airdriefoodbank.com or call 948-0063 • Airdrie Meals on Wheels provides regular nourishing meals to help people remain healthy and independent in the comfort of their own homes. Call 815-1400 or 948-6639 • Society for Affordable and Sustainable Housing in Airdrie (SASHA) works toward safe, decent and affordable housing for every resident of Airdrie. Call 948-8800 ext. 701 • AWSBA – Airdrie Women in Small Business Association provides support for women in small business. Meetings held once a month. Visit www.airdriewomen.ca • Airdrie & District Victim Assistance provides support and information for victims of crime and tragedy. Visit www.airdrievictimassistance.com or call 948-3468 • Airdrie Family Services Counselling Program prevents personal and family breakdown, enhances the abilities of individuals and families to constructively manage their lives and enriches the quality of family life. Visit www.airdriefamilyservices.ca or call 945-3900 • Rocky View School Division Family School Liaison Program provides social support services to children and families in Airdrie by working with school staff and community agencies. Visit www.rockyview.ab.ca or call 945-4000 • Airdrie Family Services Family

Resource Program supports families towards the goal of optimum family functioning. Visit www.airdriefamilyservices.ca or call 945-3900 • Airdrie Boys & Girls Club offers safe and accessible social, educational and recreational programs for youth. Visit www.abgc.8m.com or call 948-3331 • R. J. Hawkey Breakfast Program cares for students who have needs for personal, social and/or nutritional support outside their homes on school day mornings. Call 948-3939 • Airdrie Family Services Out of School Care Program decreases the number of Airdrie children left unsupervised by helping families in financial need who are working, attending educational institutions, or who have special needs. Visit www.airdriefamilyservices.ca or call 945-3900 • Alberta Mentor Foundation for Youth (AMFY) helps junior and senior high school students achieve their full potential through supportive in-school mentoring relations. Visit www.amfy.org or call 945-2535 • North Rocky View Community Resource Centre is your “gateway to the community” providing: individual/family crisis support, intake/assessment/referrals, avenues to basic needs and much more. Please call 948-0263 (toll free 1-866-9127272), e-mail ask@yourcrc.com, or drop by our office at 112 – 1st Ave NW, Airdrie (Provincial Building). We are open until

8:00pm on Thursday evenings. • Airdrie Seniors Outreach Program enables seniors to remain healthy and engaged in the community by linking seniors, information and resources. Visit www.airdrieseniors.com or call 316-9955 • FREE Coffee socials for families raising children with disabilities: Includes childcare, music therapy and information sessions. Fourth Thursday of each month, 6:00 to 8:00 pm. To register call Children’s Link at 948-0263 • Parent Link Centre: Airdrie Family Services and the North Rocky View Community Resource Centre have collaborated in the opening of a new Airdrie & Area Parent Link Centre. The services and programs are intended to promote family wellness and provide support for families of young children, helping them to connect with the appropriate resources to meet their needs. Call 948-0263 or 945-3900. Distress Centre 24-HR CRISIS LINE: 266-1605 AADAC – Alberta Alcohol & Drug Abuse Commission: 912-3306 Airdrie Mental Health: 948-3878 Airdrie Regional Health Centre: 912-8400 Bethany Care Centre Airdrie: 948-6022 Calgary Rocky View Child & Family Service: 912-4758 Closer to Home: 948-9776 Block Parents Association: 948-0111 Airdrie Employment Services: 948-9711 Credit Counselling Services of Alberta: 265-2201 Rocky View Adult Literacy Program: 948-6556

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AirdrieLIFE is active! Whatever your recreational pursuits, Airdrie is sure to have an organized group for you to join. Sports Groups Airdrie BMX Association Bonnie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .912-0919 Glen Edwards . . . . . . . . . . . . . .202-1888 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.airdriebmx.com Airdrie Bowling Club - Youth/Adult/Senior Leagues 805 East Lake Blvd, Airdrie AB . . . . . . . . . . . .948-3404 • fax: 948-4685 Airdrie Curling Club 275 Jensen Drive NE, Airdrie, AB, T4B 2B8 Booking Information: Gary Ritchie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .948-7100 Club/Pro Shop: . . . . . . . . . . . . .948-7100 Concession: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .948-0602 Airdrie & District Soccer Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .948-6260 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.airdriesoccer.com Airdrie & District Recreation Complex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .948-4242 . . . . . . . . . . . .www.airdrieagsociety.com Airdrie Chinook Winds Baseball Association Dennis Driscoll . . . . . . . . . . . . .948-7387 Airdrie Dance Academy 291070 Yankee Valley Road Susan Laing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .948-5530 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.airdriedance.ca Airdrie Edge Gymnastics Club Twin Arena Complex, Airdrie, Alberta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .948-7769 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.airdrieedge.com Airdrie Girls Softball Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .948-2811 Airdrie Judo Club Paul . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .592-0918 Airdrie Ju-Jitsu Daniel Verzotti . .239-9467 cell: 607-0621 . . . . . . .www.members.shaw.ca/goshindo Airdrie Ladies Fastball League P.O. Box 5314, Airdrie Alberta, T4B 2T9 Linda Raymond . . . . . . . . . . . .948-4699

Airdrie Little League Box 3885, Airdrie, AB, T4B 2B9 Sherry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .948-1030 . . . . . . . . . . .www.airdrielittleleague.com Airdrie Minor Basketball Colin McKenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . .945-1010 . . .www.intouchsystems.net/intouch/amba Airdrie Minor Hockey Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .912-2680 . . . . . . . . . . .www.airdrieminorhockey.ca Airdrie Mixed Industrial Slo-Pitch Rey Frederick . . . . . . . . . . . . . .948-1339 Airdrie Nutty Housewife Hockey Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Airdriehl2003@shaw.ca Airdrie Ringette Association Box 3086, Airdrie, AB, T4B 2B4 Charles Wardell . . . . . . . . . . . . .912-4660 . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.airdrieringette.com Airdrie Skating Club Plainsmen Arena, Airdrie, Alberta Coach Joanne . . . . . . . . . . . . . .945-2421 Richelle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .912-0331 . . . . . . . . . . .www.airdrieskatingclub.com Airdrie Storm Football (Bantam) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .826-2146 . . . . . . . . . . . .www.eteamz.com/airstorm Airdrie Tae Kwon Do Airdrie Tae Boxing Academy of Champions 536 - 2nd Avenue, Airdrie, AB, T4B 2C2 Everald Wright, Master Instructor Level #3, 5th Dan Black Belt E-mail . . . . . . . .airdrietkdandkb@shaw.ca Airdrie Thunder Junior Hockey Club 80 Waterstone Cres, Airdrie, Alberta, T4B 2E5 Frank McEvoy, President & General Manager . . . . . . . . . . . .948-7511 fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .912-1762 . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.airdriethunder.com Airdrie Volleyball Club Jim Kramer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .948-3367 Airdrie Yoga Studio . . . . . . . . . . .945-1825 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.airdrieyoga.com

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Ambition Arts Studio . . . . . . . . . .375-0445 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.ambitionarts.com Badminton Club Chris Gardner . . . . . . . . . . . . .948-6642 Flying Tiger Martial Arts Academy Andrew Erickson . . . . . . . . . . . .945-0800 Cell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .651-2828 Goshindo Karate / Airdrie J.K.A. . . .239-9467 Cell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .607-0621 E-mail . . . . . . . . . . . .dverzotti@shaw.ca . . . . . . .www.members.shaw.ca/goshindo Horizon Taekwon-Do Aron Johnston . . . . . . . . .912-6TKD (853) E-mail . . . . . . . . . . . .horizontkd@shaw.ca Imeson Highland Dancers Head Instructor: Jessica Imeson . .701-0726 E-mail . . . . . . . . .jessicai@pfscalgary.com Kensho Karate Club 16 C East Lake Green N.E. Airdrie, AB T4A 2J2 Head Instructor: Ian Scully . . . . .912-1903 E-mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . .kensho@shaw.ca . . . . . . . . .www.members.shaw.ca/kensho Nose Creek Swim Association (Airdrie Competitive Swim Club) Mail: NCSA, Beddington Postal Outlet, Box 51002, Calgary, Alberta T3K 3V9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .208-5353 Fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .208-5355 . . . . . .http://members.shaw.ca/ncsaswim/ Star Baton & Dance Company Mandy Yip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .948-9999 E-mail . . . . . . . . . .mandy@starbaton.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.starbaton.com Rockyview Lacrosse Association Stephen Hillier . . . . . . . . . . . . . .912-2371 . . . . . . . . . . .www.rockyviewlacrosse.com Woodside Golf Club . . . . . . . . . . .686-4653 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.woodsidegc.com Synchro Stars Club Arlene Mayor . . . . . . . . . . . . . .948-1969

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Airdrie Little League By Stacey Carefoot

hen winter’s snow starts to melt and the sun starts to shine our thoughts turn to outdoor activities and for a growing number of youngsters in Airdrie it’s time, as they say, to play ball. For over 25 years Airdrie Little League has been providing children with the structure, guidance and skill required to play ball at all different levels. From t-ball and coach pitch to the minor and major divisions of little league upwards of 300 children partake in the fun that Airdrie Little League has to offer.

“It’s relatively inexpensive to play ball,” says Airdrie Little League’s new president Rob Morphew. “The fees are nominal compared to the amount of playing time and quality of experience that little league has to offer,” he adds.“When it comes to equipment all a player really needs is a ball glove and a pair of sneakers and they’re good to go.” Ball uniforms are provided and reused year after year to help keep that cost down. Also helping to curb fees is the invaluable volunteer team that it takes to

run Airdrie Little League. Coaches, managers, executive and all of the behind-the-scenes positions are filled by a dedicated team of individuals volunteering their time and efforts in order for little leaguers to enjoy the experience of being part of a team. So, the next time you’re out and about stop in at any one of the 21 ball diamonds in the city, enjoy the action and cheer on our boys (and girls) of summer.

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AirdrieLIFE

Summer SCHEDULE

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East Lake Recreation & Wellness Centre

Ph: (403) 948 - 8804 website: www.airdrie.ca Summer 2007 Schedule - effective June 27 - August 31, 2007 CUSTOMER SERVICE- call 948 - 8804 ext. 550

MONDAY 5:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.

TUESDAY 5:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.

WEDNESDAY 5:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.

5:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.

THURSDAY 5:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.

FRIDAY 5:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.

SATURDAY 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.

SUNDAY 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.

7 a.m. - 9 p.m.

FITNESS CENTRE- call 948 - 8804 ext. 517 5:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.

5:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.

CHILDCARE

8:45 a.m. - 2 p.m. 5 - 8 p.m.

8:45 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Prebooking of child care is required - call 948 - 8804 ext. 512 8:45 a.m. - 2 p.m. 8:45 a.m. - 2 p.m. 8:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. 5 - 8 p.m.

8:45 a.m. - 11:45 p.m.

GYMNASIUM To confirm open gym times - call 948 - 8804 ext. 550 6:30 - 8 p.m. Gym B

6:45 - 8:15 p.m. Gym A

4:30 - 6 p.m. Gym A

6:45 - 8:15 p.m. Gym A

7 - 8:30 p.m. Gym A

12 - 2 p.m. Gym A

2 - 4 p.m. Gym A

AQUATIC & AEROBIC DROP-IN FITNESS CLASSES NO CLASSES: JUNE 30 - JULY 2, AUGUST 4 - 6 (DUE TO HOLIDAY WEEKENDS) MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

SUNDAY

5:45 - 6:30 a.m. 8:00 - 8:45 a.m.

Deep Water Running

8:45 - 9:30 a.m. 9:15 - 10:15 a.m.

Aquafit

Butts & Gutts

Mind, Body, Balance

Aquafit

10:20 - 11 a.m.

Fit Over Fifty

11:15a.m. - 12 p.m. Older Adult Aquafit

Older Adult Aquafit

12:15 - 1 p.m.

Deep Water Running

5:30 - 6:15 p.m. 6:15 - 7 p.m. 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Cardio Chaos

8:00 - 8:45 p.m.

Butt’s & Gutts

Tae Box

Deep Water Running

Body Blast Deep Water Running

PLEASE NOTE: Children under the age of seven are required to be accompanied by a responsible person 16 years of age or older. Further, to ensure safety, the child is to be within arms reach of the responsible person at all times they are in the aquatic area. Patrons are required to take a cleansing shower prior to entering any of the aquatic bodies of water, steam room or before making use of the water slide.

AQUATIC HOURS - SUMMER 2005 MONDAY Open Public Swim

12:30 - 5 p.m.

TUESDAY 12:30 - 9:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

12:30 - 9:30 p.m.

12:30 - 8:30 p.m. 9 - 12 p.m.

9 - 12 p.m.

5:30 - 9:30 p.m.

7 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Hot Tub, Steam Room 5:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. 5:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. 5:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. 5:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. 5:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. 7 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.

7 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Tot Pool

7 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.

7 - 9:30 p.m.

12:30 - 5 p.m.

THURSDAY

Family Swim Lane Swim

5:30 - 9:30 p.m.

5:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. 5:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. 5:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. 5:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. 5:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. Parent and tot swim is open to parents with childern six years of age or younger only. Floatation device's may be used during any Public and/or Family Swim Times Gymnasium Schedule available at the Centre or www.airdrie.ca Note: Schedules subject to change, please call 948-8804 for information

12:30 - 9:30 p.m.

7 - 9:30 p.m.

AirdrieLIFE • summer 2007 • volume 3

7 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.

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w w w. a i r d r i e l i f e . c o m

AirdrieWORKS

THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO STARTING AND GROWING YOUR BUSINESS IN THE CITY OF AIRDRIE

Airdrie Entrepreneurs Smell Success

Stay on top of business in Airdrie with the

Airdrie@work Newsletter Register at www.airdrie.ca

AirdrieWORKS

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AirdrieWORKS is... sustaining prosperity By Alex Frazer-Harrison

s one of Alberta’s fastest-growing communities, Airdrie needs a strategy to make sure its future economic growth is balanced with sustainability and the best possible benefits for its residents. That’s the goal of the City of Airdrie’s proposed Sustainable Prosperity Economic Development Strategy, a draft of which was recently unveiled for public feedback. The three-year strategy looks at four main areas: business development, healthy communities, sustainable business, and investment attraction.

“Last year we started the process to build a three-year economic development strategy for the city,” says economic development officer Karen Heisler.“Part of this involved identifying key stakeholders across the local economy that were then interviewed. We were trying to find out what were the opportunities and challenges of doing business in Airdrie, and gain input into what they wanted to see in the strategy.”

we work with our social service agencies … to make sure the City is meeting everyone’s needs.” Another objective under this goal is to find ways to increase post-secondary education options within Airdrie, Heisler says. The sustainable business category addresses how the city’s economic growth affects the environment. “We want to encourage environmentally-sustainable practices,” says Heisler.“We will work with [local businesses] to create voluntary waste- and waterreduction projects.” Some of the other proposals related to this strategy include establishing Green Business Information Seminars, as well as establishing a showcase demonstrating how the City of Airdrie itself is working to reduce its ecological footprint. Also proposed under the strategy is a plan to facilitate the development of an “eco-industrial park” in the city.

The business development focus of the strategy looks at how the City can work with the business community to generate “projects, activities, and resources that will build the local economy,” according to the draft.

The fourth goal under the proposed strategy is investment attraction. “We want to promote Airdrie in a way that will bring business to the city and grow the local economy,” says Heisler. Already, Airdrie has been successful in inspiring several high-profile businesses from Calgary to pick up stakes and relocate here, and a number of major retailers such as Wal-Mart and Superstore have opened their doors in the last year.

“The second focus, healthy communities, concentrates on issues within the community that impact the local economy,” says Heisler, adding that this would include working with the Affordable Housing Committee to look at opportunities for building short- and long-term affordable housing in the city. “We are making sure that

“We want to develop a comprehensive marketing strategy,” says Heisler. This includes, under the current proposal, the development of an Airdrie Marketing Plan aimed at land developers, company site selectors, and targeted business sectors, as well as working with the Calgary Regional Partnership (CRP) in developing a marketing strategy

AirdrieLIFE • summer 2007 • volume 3

that brings together all the communities in the region. “We are very active in the CRP and we’ve been working with them on a regional investment attraction project over the last year, as well as providing opportunities for some unique synergies between the region and Airdrie,” says Heisler, noting that the current CRP chair is Airdrie Mayor Linda Bruce. The City also proposes to give Airdrie a higher profile within Alberta by increasing the highway visibility of traveller services in the city, along with promoting Airdrie as a potential host town for regional and national sporting events (which in turn, it is hoped, will attract additional “sports tourism” to the city). The strategy is one of a number of long-term municipal sustainability planning projects either underway or planned.“It is a necessity of a city, especially one experiencing such a high level of growth as Airdrie is, to be able to do such long-term planning,” she states. “Strategies like this make sure the city is growing as a whole, and also makes sure existing businesses are being provided with the services and resources they need to grow. So we are not just focusing on attracting new investment, but we are also focusing on working with existing local business.” The draft of the Sustainable Prosperity Economic Development Strategy is available for viewing online on the City of Airdrie’s website at www.airdrie.ca.

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AirdrieWORKS… ripped into business

By Alex Frazer-Harrison

lot can happen in a year -- just ask 19-year-old Jonathan Harris.

It was only in May 2006 that the budding entrepreneur launched R.I.P Clothing, a line of T-shirts featuring his own designs. Then, in September, he sponsored the first of what has become a monthly series of rock music concerts for Airdrie youth. As he approaches his first anniversary in the business, Harris has his eyes on even bigger ideas. “The clothing line started because I was going through a rough patch in my life, and I thought something positive for other people should come out of it,” says Harris, who declines to go into detail about his experience, except to say he learned important lessons from it. “Why go through something that sucks if you can’t learn from it and help someone else with their life?”

Harris says he has always had an interest in business and had owned a couple of businesses before launching R.I.P Clothing. “I would get pictures in my head and I thought I might as well put these pictures on T-shirts and I found a fellow who runs a clothing company who helped me do that.” Harris says there are two meanings behind R.I.P.“It stands for ‘Ripped Into Pieces’ and it also stands for ‘Restored Into Perfection,’” he says.“It’s about ensuring that there is a better way of dealing with problems.” Harris’ vision goes beyond creating unique T-shirt designs. Finding himself sidelined for awhile after having his tonsils removed, Harris conceived the idea of R.I.P Clothing sponsoring a series of concerts for youth. “The shows are directly marketed to kids with nothing much to do,” he says.“I want to see this town transformed from a youth aspect – I want the kids to have something positive to do, rather than the negative we hear about.”

The first concert last September attracted about 160 kids, and Harris has seen as many as 230 turn out for the shows, which have been hosted by venues such as Airdrie United Church and the Diamond Room. “It’s about giving youth a positive atmosphere,” says Harris.“All the bands usually do ‘clean’ sets and I try to bring in moral bands … positive [role-models] for the kids. The best part is that you see the kids enjoying themselves and you see them the next day or they talk to you online and they say,‘Thanks for the show, it really inspired me.’ Or, ‘I thought it would be bad, but it was really awesome – that band’s from New Jersey and they came to Airdrie!’”

AirdrieWORKS

Harris brings in up-and-coming bands from across Canada for the shows, which are geared primarily for audiences in the 14 to 17-year age range, although he sees people between 12 and 21 attending. The shows also attract youth from neighbouring towns such as Crossfield, he adds.

Right now, the concerts and R.I.P Clothing have been mostly promoted through wordof-mouth (with Harris selling his clothing line at the shows). At press time, Harris was scheduled to launch RIPclothing.net, a website where he hopes to promote his clothing line to a wider audience (eventually adding an online store component), as well as promote the concerts. Looking into the crystal ball, Harris says he hopes to see his concerts continue to grow in popularity – he has his eyes on Airdrie’s new soccer dome as a possible future venue. He also wants to continue expanding R.I.P Clothing beyond T-shirts and into other products such as hoodies. “I want to become more involved in the community in a positive way,” he says.

volume 3 • summer 2007 •

AirdrieLIFE

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successSTORIES

Logical Creations partners Barry Chisholm and Scott Pulvermacher

Home grown success By Alex Frazer-Harrison

ike many entrepreneurs, Andrew Bennett was anxious to start his own business.

While still working as an IT manager for a Calgary land developer, Bennett decided to make the leap and start planning The Liquid Matrix, an Internet gaming café that opened in the Tower Lane Mall three years ago. Bennett is one of a growing number of Airdrie business owners who have found success going it on their own. “I always wanted to be in business for myself,” says Bennett.“I spent a year on business planning before it finally came to fruition. And I was lucky because at the time, this space was the only free available leased space in all of Airdrie in terms of retail.” Bennett has created a gathering place not just for the stereotypical gamer type (usually males in their teens-early 20s) but also for girls who come in to use the Internet or to play some of the arcade games. “It’s a modern day arcade, but it is a lot cleaner and safer, without all the drugs and shady atmosphere that some people associate with arcades,” says Bennett. “There’s no other place like this for kids in Airdrie. We could have made it a cliquey atmosphere, where it’s gamers only, but I found in Airdrie the genres intermix easily. “We have girls coming in, guys playing multiplayer games, others on

AirdrieLIFE • summer 2007 • volume 3

the Internet listening to music … it’s a very wide spectrum.” Bennett says future plans for his shop include possible expansion to provide a more café-like atmosphere for customers, and he also dreams of opening additional shops in other towns in Alberta. Across the street from Tower Lane, Lynn Kehoe’s staff is busy putting together a new batch of homemade bath products, while a customer browses the latest lingerie out front. Originally from Saskatchewan, Kehoe opened Cream Body & Bath last September, after finding success creating private-label bath products for spas and hotels. She created the By the Sea product line, which includes lip balms, bath and shower gels, massage oils, and body lotions. “We make all our handmade bath products right here in the store,” Kehoe says.“I started this five years ago as a thing I did with a friend. We had a stall at a farmers’ market and then got into home parties, and I started to do private labelling for a hotel in Moose Jaw, and the business eventually grew out of the house.” When she decided to open a storefront last fall, Kehoe chose to augment her offerings by selling lingerie. She says Airdrie has proven to be a strong market for her products, and she also attracts customers from Calgary and surrounding towns who come over to Airdrie to sample her bath products or pick up a new nightie or custom bra.

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AirdrieWORKS

“Our handmade products are quite popular,” she says. “We use less preservatives, so the shelf life is shorter … but it has gentler, better quality ingredients. When we decided to move [the business] out of the house, we didn’t think the bath products would sustain on their own, so we added the lingerie. “Now, the lingerie outsells the bath products, hands down,” Kehoe says, adding that she recently started doing online sales (through creambodyandbath.com), which has expanded her reach well beyond southern Alberta. Another Airdrie-based business embracing the Internet is Logical Creations, a rustic furniture-building business that owner Scott Pulvermacher says started out as a lark after 30 years in the grocery business. “The business started out about five years ago as a hobby, but we got to the point where more people were hearing about it and showing interest,” he says. Pulvermacher incorporated the business and set up an office out of his home, while his partner, Barry Chisholm, does the construction of the furniture out of a Quonset hut. “At lot of our business is through word of mouth,” says Pulvermacher. “All our furniture is made from trees that have naturally died – we never harvest healthy or live trees for our products.”Through its website at www.logicalcreations.ca, the company has attracted business from across Alberta and beyond. Pulvermacher says Airdrie’s small business community is a close-knit family, as evidenced by the support he received when he organized a tree-recycling event last Christmas. “Airdrie will support Airdrie,” he says.“All you need is a terrific product and competitive pricing, and you’ll be set. I can’t tell you how supportive City Hall is, if you seek them out. “The biggest piece of advice I could give to new business is to stay humble, and you have to bring customer service back into the mix. Too many retailers have forgotten this.”

Tracy and Jen Hauck the “better half ” of The Butcher Shoppe management team are proud of their products.

Butcher Shoppe re-entered the competitive field (owner Brian Hauck took a few years off to be a judge) at the Alberta Food Processors annual competition. With his new partner and future son-in-law Kolin Friske, Brian decided it was time to see how they would fare in competition with several well known industry leaders. Together they came home with the Grand Aggregate trophy for highest accolades in all categories of the competition. The team won gold medals for smoked sausage, fresh sausage, smoked ham, bone in ham, summer sausage and bacon. “All of the products entered by The Butcher Shoppe are 100% hormone and antibiotic free and contain no MSG (and haven’t for 25 years). MSG is commonly used in meat processing to open the taste buds and enhance the flavor of foods – to win without MSG is a testament to the work of Kolin and Brian,” Tracy Hauck says of the team. “Our products aren’t designed with competitions in mind but rather for our customers – they determine what we sell but the peer industry recognition is validating,” Brian notes.

Adds Kehoe:“This is a great city for specialty shops.And the more of these stores that open, the better we all do.”

AirdrieLIFE Reader Contest: The Butcher Shoppe has been making a name for itself all over the country since opening 25 years ago in Airdrie. This February, The

You can win a gold medal basket of select products valued at $100 from The Butcher Shoppe – enter on line at www.airdrielife.com volume 3 • summer 2007 •

AirdrieLIFE

AirdrieWORKS

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AirdrieWORKS… is on the air

Jamie Tiessen (left) launches The Range in Airdrie. Above, radio announcers Bruce Daniels and Marty Lawrence talk up the city.

By Alex Frazer-Harrison irdrie’s first homegrown radio station is expected to fill a void in the city’s media scene, says Jamie Tiessen, who launched The Range 106.1 FM this spring.

Tiessen, who has been involved in rural Alberta’s radio industry since his high school days and who is now president and CEO of Tiessen Media Inc., says a station like The Range is long overdue for Airdrie. “This is the first service of this kind to serve the Airdrie community,” he says. “We’ll be able to provide local news, community information, and local programming, as well as our music mix which includes songs from the ‘70s, ’80s,‘90s, and today.” The Range also serves Cochrane (via repeater station 95.3 FM) and communities in the Municipal District of Rocky View, and Tiessen says his station will serve an important role in promoting local events and issues

AirdrieLIFE • summer 2007 • volume 3

in a market saturated by Calgary broadcasters, as well as growing competition from other audio services like satellite radio. “We’re targeting that community aspect,” he says.“There’s a big concern by the [CRTC] and the public that there is diversity of voices in Canadian media. If you want to listen to satellite radio for something specific, that’s fine, but the ability of satellite radio to provide you with anything specific to this community … the opportunity is just not there.” Tiessen’s staff works out of a studio in Airdrie’s northeast, bringing a range of experience and talent to their jobs. “We have approximately 10 people who are looking forward to serving the community from a sales, news, and programming side,” says Tiessen.“We’ve got a good group of people that all have a passion for broadcasting and for this community.”

Tiessen also promises The Range will be more than just faceless voices and music on the radio. Both in Airdrie and in Cochrane, he plans for his station to become a major community presence. “We’ll be dedicated to community groups and schools, promoting them and what they do, and we’ll be part of their activities,” Tiessen says.“If we can get our name on it, we’ll be there.” In addition, under the terms of the station’s licence, The Range will be contributing as much as $13,000 over the term of the licence to purchase musical instruments for schools and to support a music scholarship program. “I believe the community will be well-served by The Range,” says Tiessen. For more information about The Range, visit www.therangeonline.ca.

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AirdrieWORKS

Bike Night By Alex Frazer-Harrison

either chilly temperatures nor blowing snow can keep motorcycle-lovers away from the camaraderie of Bike Night.

Every week, a group of bike enthusiasts gather at the A&W on the south side of Airdrie to compare motorcycles and socialize, and it’s a year-round affair, says Barry Radu, owner of Destination Cycles Inc., which sponsors the event. “It’s all about camaraderie and getting together to look at our bikes,” says Radu. “And it goes straight through the winter. We had a core group show up on Jan. 15 – it was cold, but we still had seven or eight bikes there. But as soon as it turns warm, we get more people showing up.” Bike Night is one of the ways Destination Cycles promotes the motorcycling lifestyle in Airdrie. Since opening three years ago, Radu’s shop has become a popular destination for bike-lovers. “I moved to Alberta six years ago with the dream of starting my own motorcycle shop,” says Radu, who has 30 years experience with motorbikes. “The best part of this whole business is the people, the customers that you meet that deal with you or just come in for coffee. That’s why I enjoy Bike Night so much – I get to promote my business, but I’m always talking to people.”

It didn’t take long for Destination Cycles to find a niche. Aside from recently acquiring the Pro-One line of bikes, and promoting how its garage will fix any make or model of cycle, Destination Cycles is also Alberta’s only distributor of Boss Hoss motorcycles. “It’s a motorcycle that runs a 350-cubic inch Chevrolet small block motor, which gives you 385 hp,” Radu says. But for real power, you can get a Boss Hoss with 500 horses. “Compare to Yamaha, Harley, Suzuki … generally they’re 60 to 90 hp. These are the highest-horsepower production bikes in the world.” Both two-wheel and threewheel “trike” versions are available. “The city of Airdrie has been good to us,” he says of the support his business has received. “There are still people who don’t know we’re around, so we’re still getting the word out.We also get a lot of business from Calgary. “And everybody is welcome at Bike Night. We always get people shopping at the Co-op who come by to look at the bikes. We’re a friendly group of guys – we may look tough in our leathers, but when you get 100 or so guys together, you’ll have everyone from concrete workers to dentists. It’s a very diverse group of people.”

Barry Radu has made his dream a full time business.

For more information about Destination Cycles – as well as upcoming ride-for-charity events supported by the business such as Calgary’s first Motorcycle Ride for Dad in support of prostate cancer on June 2, and the 5th Annual Motorcycle Ride for Breast Cancer on June 3 – visit www.destinationcycles.com. volume 3 • summer 2007 •

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Women at Work

AirdrieWORKS is pleased to introduce a new feature on Airdrie’s “Women in Small Business”

Lisa Sierra and Jennifer Jurkowski are the brainchild behind The Urban Treehouse Playcentre

By Joan Bell

Creative Play

wo Airdrie mothers were tired of trying to find a safe play environment for their toddlers, while at the same time looking after an infant. So they put their heads together and came up with a unique concept. The Urban Treehouse Playcentre is the brainchild of Lisa Sierra and Jennifer Jurkowski. Urban Treehouse is an “inspired creative playcentre for kids”, says Lisa, mother of two daughters ages five and three. Parents and caregivers can choose to participate in activities with their children or sit back and enjoy a coffee while keeping an eye on their children as they interact in a safe, clean and imaginative play environment. According to Jennifer, mother of two sons ages five and three,“Urban Treehouse Playcentre is designed for infants to seven year olds. Our concept is to provide a place for families to spend quality time together.” Programs offered include hands-on art projects, early literacy components, and puppet shows. For parents there are parenting info sessions, performances, and events tailored to moms. Urban Treehouse also features a café serving coffee, fresh foods, and decadent desserts. As Jennifer says,“we want Urban Treehouse to be just as comfortable for adults as it is for kids.” When you enter Urban Treehouse, you are overwhelmed by the

AirdrieLIFE • summer 2007 • volume 3

wealth of creative options available to the children. There are children in rubber boots exploring the sand and water in Fallingwater play area. Young artists are molding playdough in Changing Colours art centre, while other children are using their imaginations to create a puppet play at the Seasons theatre. Lisa and Jennifer came up with the idea for the custom-designed stage that pulls out of a wall cabinet, like a Murphy bed. Children can choose from a wide selection of dress up costumes. With the assistance of Urban Treehouse’s friendly staff, children can role play to their heart’s content. In the Leaves story corner, several youngsters are listening to a story while sitting in comfortable kid-sized leather chairs. The Shoots and Ladders play centre has separate areas for toddlers and older children to ensure safe, creative play. While the children play, moms and caregivers enjoy a cup of coffee, time to chat with other moms, or a chance to relax and read a book. Mothers with infants enjoy the baby-friendly environment equipped with microwave ovens, changing stations, and comfortable chairs for breastfeeding. With the Urban Treehouse Playcentre attracting more than half its clientele from Calgary, Lisa and Jennifer are investigating the possibility of franchising this popular concept. Urban Treehouse received the Calgary’s Child Magazine Parent’s Choice Award for “Best Place to have a Children’s Party”. Urban Treehouse is located at 102 - 960 Yankee Valley Blvd. www.theurbantreehouse.com.

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AirdrieWORKS volume 3 • summer 2007 •

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AirdrieWORKS

Workspaces Thayne Blunston renovated the space for his dentistry practice in 2004 to reflect his own style and international training. John McMaster of Daily Planet Design in Edmonton helped Thayne create a truly contemporary modern workspace. Thayne’s love of mixed elements is reflected in the use of two toned cork flooring, a custom built concrete reception desk, and stunning sealed copper flashing walls. The stainless steel cabinetry in each treatment room was custom made in Germany and surprises visitors with its sleek curved profile. Consult rooms have glass walls to allow light to pass through and keep the space open and every element of design was carefully considered for it’s esthetic as well as practical value. Thayne’s desire to have an architectural feature in the reception area other than the typical waterfall or fireplace resulted in stunning latticed acrylic wall. Maple woodwork and cabinetry, stained a rich western oak balances the main foyer with the whimsical and light wall color choices of dill and French Violet. No one ever admits to enjoying a visit to the dentist but with surroundings like these – who wouldn’t want to schedule a check up?

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AirdrieWORKS volume 3 • summer 2007 •

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AirdrieWORKS is... location , location, location By Alex Frazer-Harrison

very day, tens of thousands of motorists pass through Airdrie on the QEII Highway, so it’s no surprise that industrial and commercial land near the highway is at a premium.

into the Calgary region.”

Airdrie’s fast growth has seen rising demand for industrial and commercial land, says Kent Rupert, the City’s economic development team leader.

In fact, it’s available industrial/commercial land in Airdrie that is at a premium right now, says Ron Roberts, an associate with Century 21 Castlewood.

“Over the last number of years, we produce 35-45 business licenses a month and we’ve seen that increase each year,” he says.“We get a lot of land inquiries from people looking to either move [their business] to Airdrie or invest in Airdrie.”

“I think there’s strong demand; we just don’t have product for them,” he says.“For several years, we didn’t have any land at all, but then the Kingsview Industrial Park came on and it sold out pretty quickly.”

One reason for this growth, Rupert suggests, is the perception that the amount of serviceable industrial land in Calgary is running low. “Certainly whether it’s true or not, Calgary is looked at as running out of land on the industrial side,” says Rupert.“But people still want to get

Roberts says he’s seen a mixture of local business and investors from out of town looking at land in Airdrie. “Airdrie is seen as offering a good opportunity for people who want serviced land at a reasonable price,” says Ryan Haney, industrial sales and leasing with CB Richard Ellis Alberta Ltd.“In Calgary, you can’t buy serviced land short of $500,000 per acre, while in Airdrie you could buy land in the $275-295,000 per acre range.”(Roberts says his estimates are more in the $400,000/acre range, with $450,000 “possible by the end of summer,” but agrees this is still less than what businesses can expect to pay for land in Calgary.) So who is buying up this land? Haney says buyers include transportation and recreation-related industries.“They like the exposure and the access,” he says, adding similar trends are seen in Leduc, which is similarly located to Edmonton as Airdrie is to Calgary. Rupert says land in the planned industrial park on Airdrie’s north side is expected to become available later this year. “You’ll be seeing that land purchased quickly,” he says. A number of factors are attracting commercial and industrial investors to the city, says Rupert.“The fact we have no business tax is one, plus our proximity to the [Calgary International] airport. “Home Depot is one of the businesses in the pipe right now, plus WalMart, which opened a year ago, has put in for an expansion. We also have a grocery store chain looking at the Airdrie market.”

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cityLIVING

AirdrieLIFE is…mine

include people who also are “doing what they love,” writers and photographers who have made their passion and talent their career.

Yes, that was me following my passion to express my creativity. If you look at our list of contributors on page 8, you’ll see, we’ve grown to

www.airdrielife.com

n the Broadway musical“The Producers”, Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom conspire to produce the biggest flop in showbiz. Not many people go into business or commit to a project to deliberately fail.

Whether it’s raising self esteem with a great hair cut or crafting an award winning ham, we’ve got a lot of talented people in our neighIf you are like any of the people featured in this issue of AirdrieLIFE, bourhoods. It might be the stay at home mom next you will relate to a variety of athletes, entrepreneurs ___________ door with an idea for the next great internet business and community people who approach their respective or the guy sitting next to you on the commuter bus challenges with a desire to succeed. And boy, are they who heads into his workshop every night after work ever! There must be something in the water here that “Do what you to fine tune his invention, whatever the passion it’s breeds success. And by success I don’t just mean financial gains. There are personal rewards, the respect of love and the happy always best to encourage dreams when you learn of them. your peers, and the recognition by your industry or will follow.” your competitive field and there is the satisfaction at the I think there should be a second version of the phrase end of the day of knowing you did your best. All of ___________ “do what you love…” I would have it read “Do what these people have something in common: passion. you love and the happy will follow.” I am a firm believer in the axiom “do what you love and the money will Enjoy the summer months ahead and remember if you really want to follow.” It did take me a while to have faith in this concept but now I know Airdrie…you need to get a LIFE! can’t imagine living any other way. I wouldn’t be sitting here writing this otherwise! I enjoy hearing stories about Airdronians who have taken that leap of self-faith and jumped into their passions with both feet, that’s why we share them with you. It encourages me to continue to follow my passions (hey did anyone notice me in the back row of Theresa Sherry Shaw-Froggatt Wasden’s “Broadway Pops” show?)

About our covers AirdrieLIFE Vanessa Mercier has been passionate about raising her two children in Airdrie for the past four years. Sydney (4) and Matias (20 months) have fun with Mom during the photo shoot.

AirdrieLIFE • summer 2007 • volume 3

AirdrieWORKS Lynn Kehoe is passionate about her business, see story page 60

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