With the recent snowfall, the City was able to groom and set tracks for a kilometer-long cross-country ski loop at Chinook Winds Regional Park.
“We are excited to have another amenity in Airdrie that gets people active during the winter and will provide long-term positive impact to the community,” said Mayor Peter Brown. “This initiative helps activate our existing city spaces and could potentially benefit our future sport tourism opportunities.”
On June 22, 2021, Council endorsed the use of the legacy funds from the 2020 Alberta Winter Games to start an Airdrie Sport Council and develop a cross-country ski loop in partnership with the City.
“The Airdrie Sport Council’s goal is to increase opportunities for the community to come together through sport and facilitate growth in sport participation,” said Grant Erickson, Chair of the Airdrie Sport Council. “Cross country skiing was showcased at the 2020 Winter Games, and increasing participation options represents a large opportunity for our community based on successful models in neighbouring municipalities. This really is the leading initiative to grow the sport in Airdrie that will be followed up by the upcoming formation of the Airdrie Nordic Club."
The Airdrie Sport Council purchased cross-country ski equipment using $18,222.94 of legacy funds from the 2020 Alberta Winter Games and a $15,677 Community Initiatives Program grant from the provincial government. Legacy funding is a surplus from the games that includes funds raised from the community and public funds from the City and Province. The intent of legacy funds is to enhance further sport development in the community either through programs and initiatives or capital projects.
See a map of the loop and condition updates at www.airdrie.ca/xcountryski
The Sport Council is looking to recruit and develop a Nordic Club to support cross country skiing in Airdrie. The Sport Council will be at the Cabin Fever event on Feb. 18 with information for volunteers.
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Kim Harris
Community Developer, Civic Partnerships
kim.harris@airdrie.ca
403.948.8800 ext. 8772