Airdrie's United Church site eyed for potential adult care facility 

Some residents of The Village have expressed concern after receiving a letter from a Calgary organization that has made overtures about the possibility of an adult care facility being developed on the site of Airdrie's United Church in the future.

According to a letter by Aomega Lodges that was sent to residents, dated January 26, it invited them to an engagement session that took place on January 30.

A letter sent to some Airdrie residents by a Calgary care facility operator has caused concern about the future of the Village neighbourhood in the city. 

Margaret Adu, the Managing Director of Aomega Lodges, clarified in a written statement to DiscoverAirdrie that it is the Government of Alberta that is the body implementing the small care home stream. Adu explained that her organization has simply put in a proposal to the province. 

"The government of Alberta shall work with Aomega, they give us ample time to get all this in place. It is the reason why Aomega has taken a proactive approach and started the process," she wrote.

According to the letter sent to Airdrie residents, Aomega owns and operates 11 personal care homes in Calgary, and according to Adu Airdrie needs such a facility.

"Our program is not in Airdrie yet [and] so when the proposal came out, I proposed Airdrie. This is why this site was chosen; I heard that the [Airdrie United Church] was selling," Adu said.

Residents dismayed

In a separate anonymous correspondence sent to DiscoverAirdrie, the letter writer(s) expressed frustration and disappointment that the letter sent by Aomega was sent a mere four days before the engagement session. According to the letter writer, 50 residents came to the engagement session hosted by a local realty company as well as Aomega Lodges.

"No one in attendance wanted this development to happen on this lot in old Airdrie. Let alone that the United Church is the oldest public building still standing in Airdrie," the letter writer stated.

The letter also alluded to the possibility that Alberta Health Services would be buying the land in question, however, Adu, categorically stated that this is incorrect. She explained that Aomega Lodges has a conditional purchase of the land, but they do not have ownership yet. 

When asked about her takeaway from the engagement session, Adu said that some residents had expressed concern about disruptive traffic, such as ambulances, though she said that the care homes she operates in Calgary do not have disruptive traffic and that if there were to be a care facility in the proposed area, those living there would not have cars, which would minimize traffic.

She added that she felt many residents still needed time to process the idea.

"In my proposal, I want to emulate the footprints of the church, and not take away the heritage. [I want to] make it look like what is there today."

Adu added that the neighbourhood in which the church's buildings are currently located is a good fit for a care facility as many community supports are close. 

The letter also enumerated that the proposed facility would have round-the-clock staffing and would not be deemed a clinical facility. 

Adu said she plans on more engagement sessions in the coming weeks and months to better explain to residents the proposal and put to rest any trepidations they may have. 

City's Response

In a written statement to DiscoverAirdrie, the City stated that the planning team is aware of the Airdrie United Church site being up for sale and that there is a potential plan to develop supportive housing on the site.

"...and public engagement has begun in preparation for an application submission. During a recent open house, the prospective purchaser mentioned their intention to submit an application for supportive housing on the existing building site. As of now, no application has been submitted," City officials stated.

The City underlined that until an application has been received they cannot provide further details on any ongoing discussions.

"Currently, the lands are zoned 'P1, Public Open Space District,' and supportive housing is not a listed use in that district. To proceed with supportive housing, a land use bylaw amendment is necessary to redistrict/rezone the lands, allowing for a zoning that permits this type of use."

Adu, though underlined that what Aomega is proposing is not supportive housing but Designated Supportive Living, Supportive living Accommodations.

The City also added that a land use bylaw amendment involves a public hearing and Council approval.

"As per legislative requirements, public hearings must be advertised in the local paper, on our website, and notices mailed to all residents within a minimum of 60 meters. Once the land has been redistricted/rezoned, the next step will be obtaining a development permit."

When asked if Adu is concerned that a land use bylaw amendment may not come to fruition, she said she is hopeful it would be amended. 

"I am hopeful, it will be changed. Remember, it is for a good cause. It could be you or I needing to be part of a family. It could be you or I needing care in a homelike setting. Brain injury can happen to anyone at any time. Citizens of “The Village”, we all deserve to be embraced in a community. Give the abled-differently a chance. Embrace them with love and care."

Past debates on the land-use bylaw amendment regarding Airdrie United Church 

Last March, Airdrie City Council voted down a proposed amendment to the land-use bylaw regarding redistricting in The Village. 

The previously proposed amendment would have allowed Airdrie's United Church to move ahead in their plans for redevelopment on both the North (216 1 Avenue NE) and South parcels (132 Bowers Street NE). It included plans to demolish the church's current building, located on the north lot, which would be then rebuilt on the south lot, while a proposed 4-storey apartment, with 40-some suites, would be built on the north lot.

The proposal then was spurred by the fact that the church was facing costly renovations which were financially not feasible. Previously, Joel Den Haan, the Coordinating Consultant to Airdrie United Church, had underlined that there were serious structural problems with the church's foundation.

DiscoverAirdrie reached out to comment from Mr. Den Haan but did not hear back at the time of publication. 

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