With the provincial budget being announced on Thursday, Airdrie Mayor Peter Brown hopes to see plenty of help for Airdrie.
Airdrie is one of the fastest growing communities in Alberta and with that more and more amenities are also needed. While the city has plenty of major infrastructure projects currently being built or on the way, Brown hopes the provincial government will be willing to help out with the funds needed.
"The new Airdrie Multi-Use Facility and Library, a new firehall coming down the road and phase one of the new recreation center are all opportunities for them (the province) to help from our perspective."
Of course, Brown also mentioned the dire need for schools within Airdrie.
"We need to support Rocky View School Division and Calgary Catholic, we need to get some schools built and portables for the time being."
When asked if the city can do more when it comes to advocating, Brown stated they have done everything the government has asked of them and he hopes they will recognize that.
"We've been inundating the ministers surrounding all of these different projects, as well as some other projects. I believe that they're very much aware of it. We're not trying to change the world in a day, but we're hoping to get supported in certain areas."
According to Brown, for communities under 35,000 residents, there are different types of grants for water and sewer and he hopes that the requirements for these grants can also be changed so Airdrie can apply.
When it comes to health care, Brown hopes to possibly see steps taken when it comes to the North Calgary/Airdrie Regional Health Centre.
In the Premier's address last week in anticipation of the budget, Danielle Smith announced lower resource revenues will certainly require the province to show more restraint than previously predicted while also saving for the future.
Mayor Brown stated he appreciates the idea of saving for the future, but Airdrie has extreme costs in the present that need to be dealt with.
"I believe that a percentage of that money needs to be reinvested into communities as they can bring in more tax dollars and revenue."
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Thu, May 2, 9:30 AM
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