As another year draws to a close, Mayor Peter Brown reflected on 2017.

Brown said when he thinks about Airdrie over the past year, the word that comes to mind is, once again, generosity. He hopes the community knows just how generous everybody is.

"The amount of fundraisers I was participating in or I read about on Facebook as it related to community members, whether it was somebody that was impacted by a health issue or someone that needed help, the community was there and they answered the call."

Airdrie saw a number of significant community events in 2017, including the Canada 150 celebration on Canada Day and throughout the summer, and more recently Hometown Hockey.

Brown also believes Airdrie held a successful fall election despite the low turnout. With five mayoral candidates, 23 council candidates and five school trustee candidates, Brown believes the election did much to inform residents about the issues facing the city.

Airdrie also saw some important infrastructure projects come to fruition in 2017.

"The big one for us obviously was the 40th Avenue overpass over the railroad tracks. First one ever in our history so that's a good beginning. I'm already seeing a change in some of the traffic patterns and we're seeing a little less traffic from there."

Another significant road project was the addition of a left turn lane at the intersection of Yankee Valley Boulevard and Sierra Springs Drive. Brown said he hopes the community is embracing that change, because there was some initial resistance to the project, which saw one lane of Yankee Valley Boulevard closed at the intersection.

Airdrie also began a curbside recycling program in the spring, and reduced the number of garbage bags allowed on pickup day to one. Information on the effect that has had on diversion will come before City Council in the new year.

Brown said while it may not be the most exciting project, another significant one was the completion of a new lift station at Nose Creek to help with Airdrie's water supply.

Looking ahead to 2018, Brown said the foundation will be laid for a number of projects coming up in the following years. The latest budget reflects that.

"We have $550,000 of our tax increase into a Tax Stabilization Fund. 2019, we're going to have a library to build, we're going to be starting on another fire hall, and it's the operational dollars that are going to be expensive, and obviously we're going to have to borrow some money or debenture some dollars."

Under the budget, Airdrie will also see more investment into the RCMP, including two new mental health officers coming to town.

Brown also highlighted a detailed design of a 40th Avenue interchange onto Highway 2, an expansion of 24th Street, and significant progress for the Airdrie and Area Health Benefits Cooperative as things to look forward to next year.

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