Airdrie is a city in Alberta, Canada, located just north of Calgary within the Calgary-Edmonton corridor. The city of Airdrie is part of Calgary's Census Metropolitan Area and a member community of the Calgary Regional Partnership (CRP). Due to its proximity to Calgary, Airdrie's population has been exploding in recent years. The city's boundaries are completely within the rural Rocky View County.

Airdrie was first established as a railway village in 1889 during the construction of the Calgary and Edmonton Railway, named for Airdrie, Scotland. Today, Airdrie is a scenic bedroom community and industrial centre. Its primary body of water is Nose Creek, which is the focal point of a number of city parks and green spaces including Nose Creek Park.

Demographics

The Canada 2006 Census reported Airdrie to have a population of 28,927.  As of the 2009 civic census, Airdrie's population was 38,091.

In 2006, Airdrie had a population of 28,927 living in 13,375 dwellings. The town has a land area of 33.1 km2 (11.6 sq mi) and a population density of 1,150 /km2 (2,263/sq mi).

Roads and Transportation

Airdrie's main access road is the Queen Elizabeth II Highway, which for many years bisected the city (recent development has made the western half of the city significantly larger in area than the eastern side). The highway is a major north/south trade corridor providing direct access to Calgary to the south and to Red Deer, Edmonton and other major centres to the north. The city is also connected to other local towns and hamlets via several secondary highways that pass through the city.

In January 2008, Airdrie, as a member of the Calgary Regional Partnership, is scheduled to begin discussions with fellow CRP members regarding the establishment of a rail-transit system connecting Airdrie with downtown Calgary.

Local bus service is provided by Airdrie Transit.

Attractions

The park hosts the annual Airdrie Festival of Lights in the Christmas season. Other annual festivals include the Canada Day Parade and the Airdrie Pro Rodeo. Airdrie's primary cultural venues include the Nose Creek Valley Museum and the Bert Church Live Theatre.

Airdrie is home to several sporting franchises. Major teams include the Knights of Airdrie, a senior men's lacrosse team that plays in the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League. The Airdrie Thunder, a Jr. B level hockey team that competes in the Heritage Junior B Hockey League. Team Airdrie is a Jr. C level hockey team that competes in the Calgary Jr. C Hockey League.

Education

The public schools are part of the Rocky View Schools, whose head office is located in Airdrie. The separate schools are part of the Calgary Catholic School Division #1, headquartered in Calgary.  They include:

Rocky View School Division

• A.E. Bowers (K-4)
• Ecole Airdrie Middle (5-8)
• Ecole Edwards Elementary (K-4)
• R.J. Hawkey (K-4)
• Ralph McCall (K-8)
• Muriel Clayton Middle (5-8)
• Rocky View Learning Connection (1-12)
• Meadowbrook Middle (5-8)
• Bert Church High (9-12)
• George McDougall High (9-12)

Calgary Catholic School District

• Our Lady Queen of Peace School (K-7)
• St. Martin de Porres (7-12)

Other Education facilities:

• Academy of Learning
• Bow Valley College
• Rockyview Adult Education
• Sylvan Learning Center

City of Airdrie Website:  www.airdrie.ca