The opening of the new Library and Multi-Use Facility is currently set for 2025 and will be constructed on the site of Airdrie’s old fire hall located on Main Street SE.

This community facility and public library is envisioned to be a landmark destination that offers a wide variety of opportunities, both indoor and outdoor, for citizens to gather, connect and learn, and as a result, bring energy and vibrancy to Airdrie’s downtown. Currently, Airdrie has one of the highest used libraries per capita with approximately 90,000 visits annually.

The facility will be 73,000 sq ft with 53,000 for the library and 20,000 for the multi-use space and will cost roughly $65 Million. The facility will have an underground parkade with approximately 100 stalls as well as ground-level parking.

The new facility will take into consideration future growth as well as meeting the provincial standards and comparisons of similar sized libraries in Alberta.

View site and level 1 floor plans (pdf) 

Learn more about the new library and multi-use facility

2023

• April: Council approves the schematic design which sets out the general layout of the interior of the building as well as the elevation of the exterior of the building. Please note, the finishings for both the interior and exterior are yet to be decided and are not as depicted in the renderings. 
• February: The public art consultant selection process to meaningfully integrate public art with the building and its adjacent urban and green spaces at the new Airdrie Multi-Use Facility & Library Project began. 

  The anticipated total art budget for this project is $520,000. This budget is intended to cover all expenses related to public art including consulting fees, artists honorariums, reserve fund contributions for ongoing operations and maintenance, and the purchase of the public art and supporting infrastructure. Questions about the public art consultant can be directed to Claudia.Usuga-Benitez@airdrie.ca.

2022

• October: Demolition of the old fire hall began. Weather and other factors permitting, the demolition will take approximately 10-12 weeks. 
• Project team awarded Gibbs Gage Architects as the Prime Design Consultant on the project
• Concept design and visioning sessions completed with Airdrie City Council, the Airdrie Public Library Board and Library staff.

2021

• Public consultation was conducted through online surveys and interviews with stakeholders, as well as an online household survey with residents. These findings informed the use of the shared space and provided important insight to the details of the Multi-Use Facility and Library Functional Program and Feasibility Report (PDF). 

2020

• Consultant bids distributed. Colliers was awarded project management oversight

2019

• New Multi-Use Facility and Library site was confirmed

 2017

• Council established a steering committee to explore project visions

2013 

• Public consultation was conducted to provide insight into a Facility Needs Assessment. The Facility Needs Assessment was endorsed by Council.  

2011

• Conversations began about the need of a new public library and multi-use facility to address the growing population in Airdrie.

Engagement activities with both facility stakeholders and residents were undertaken to inform and consult on the future of the facility and it's offerings.

Information was collected through:

• An online questionnaire to stakeholders (June 2021)
• An online survey to Airdrie residents (July 2021)
• Stakeholder interviews (July - Aug. 2021)

Vision
Airdrie's New Multi-Use Facility and Library will be innovative and meet the needs of a dynamic and growing community; it will be a destination for all and contribute to a healthy, connected community.

Goals: 

Downtown revitalization
The new Multi-Use Facility and Library will be a catalytic project that will re-energize Airdrie's downtown as a central location for residents to gather, connect and learn creating a gateway to Airdrie's downtown.

Community and connection
The new Multi-Use Facility and Library will be a hub enjoyed by the community and is a destination for all. This will be a place that will serve people of all abilities and demographics where people gather and celebrate, contributing to a healthy and connected community.

The new Multi-Use Facility and Library will draw residents to visit the facility for various reasons and act as a central place for the community to access resources and participate in a wide range of programming.

Growth
With ongoing population growth expected to continue in Airdrie over the next decade, the new Multi-Use Facility and Library will allow the City to meet the needs of our growing population by offering new and expanded spaces and services.