Ribbon Cutting marks the soft opening of Inspire, the new hub for arts, culture and community connection in Airdrie

For immediate release
Sept. 24, 2025

AIRDRIE, AB - Today, Airdrie City Council, Airdrie Public Library board and project partners gathered for the official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Inspire, Airdrie’s new multi-use and library facility. While the grand opening is scheduled for October 2025, this soft opening marked an important milestone in the delivery of a vibrant hub designed to support learning, arts and community connection in Airdrie.

During the event held earlier today, Mayor Peter Brown said, “This facility is the result of years of planning, hard work, and collaboration. I want to sincerely thank City of Airdrie administration, the Airdrie Public Library Board, and all of our project partners, as well as the Government of Canada and the Province of Alberta for their commitment to making this vision a reality.” “Inspire will be a place where residents come together to learn, connect, and grow, and I look forward to seeing our community enjoy this incredible new space,” he added.

The $60.5 million project was made possible through collaboration and funding partnerships, including a $10 million contribution from the Canada Community-Building Fund (CCBF) by the Government of Canada and a $29.2 million funding from the Local Government Fiscal Framework (LGFF), formerly known as Municipal Sustainability Initiative, by the Government of Alberta.

The project is currently tracking $4.5 million under its original $65 million budget.

“Our government is proud to have supported this project, which will serve as a vibrant hub for learning, creativity, and connection,” said Corey Hogan, Member of Parliament for Calgary Confederation. “The opening of the facility will bring residents together and create new opportunities for the community well into the future.”

Michelle Lock, Director of Community Services who spearheaded this project with her team said, “A project of this scale does not happen without strong partnerships and shared vision. We are grateful to all of the contractors, architects and agencies who worked tirelessly to bring Inspire to life. I am proud of what we have built together. Inspire is more than a building. It is a space that will enrich lives, spark creativity and strengthen community for generations to come.”

To celebrate its official opening with the community, a full month of special events is planned in October, when the facility will be fully operational and open for all to enjoy. The month-long community celebration events include:

• Public Artists Meet and Greet on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025
• Community Celebration Day on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025
• Time Capsule Ceremony on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025
• Other registered month-long community celebration events from Oct. 11 – 22, 2025

Please visit airdrie.ca/inspire-opening for details and to register for events.

As Inspire transitions to its soft opening, the facility will begin functioning with limited operating hours. Visit airdrie.ca/inspire to view the schedule of working hours and all the programs it has to offer.

Inspire is also home to the Airdrie Public Library (APL). Visit yourapl.ca/Contact-Us to view APL’s operating hours.

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City of Airdrie

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