On September 20th, 2021, the Airdrie City Council approved plans that will accommodate Airdrie's growing population.
Stephen Utz, the Community Growth Manager for the City of Airdrie explained that this particular decision would allow a new water line to Calgary. 
 
"It's the inter-municipal type of service that will take us from our existing population to more than 211,000 people," Utz said.
 
Utz underlined that a water line would not be built straight away, but that this planning allows for current development projects to save money for long-term projects with population expansion in mind,
 
"When we are needing a larger pipe at about [a] 130,000 population, we have the money ready to build an oversized pipe. You get a lot less inefficiency from the pipe and you will have the capacity for 211,000 people."
 
This strategic planning project means collaboration with Calgary, including meeting different developers. In February of 2019, there were eight different options and 14 criteria to evaluate said options.
 
Utz said that the reasoning behind this plan is that it is meant to keep things competitive on a community basis and to entice developers. 
 
"We've had some very successful collaborative relationships with BILD (Building Industry and Land Development Association Calgary Region) Calgary. At that same council meeting, we brought forward a five-party collaboration for Council endorsement that would speak to the high school land assembly," 

This funding solution, according to Utz will take a portion of levies and allocate it directly into said fund and restrict it for that purpose. 

"We don't have to take anything else off the capital plan," Utz explained. "There's nothing else that's required to come off in terms of the Recreation Center, library, et cetera."

Send your news tips, story ideas, pictures, and videos to news@discoverairdrie.com