“We’re on tap to see another four to five per cent in growth in 2011. Our community is moving forward at a safe pace,” says new mayor, Peter Brown.

The proposal is going to Airdrie city council and Rocky View County council at the end of March, and from there, to the province for approval.

Airdrie’s vision for the future includes building economic diversity and a vibrant sense of community. Though, if you check with Airdronians, they already have a good sense of who they are and where they come from. Airdrie is away from the confines of the city, but close enough to Calgary should you want to see the Flames play or raft down the Bow.

“Planners and developers are really artists,” Brown says. “They ask, what is sustainable for the long-term? What do we want to see? What will be a long-term fit for this community?”

And the choice is yours: from, single-family homes in Williamstown and Hillcrest, townhomes in Wind Song, multi-family developments in Bayside and attached-garage homes in Reunion. Builders range from some of Calgary’s top companies like Excel Homes, Shane Homes and Trico Homes and Sabal Homes to homegrown builders like McKee Homes and WestMark.

Prices of new homes and condos are more affordable in Airdrie. “I think, overall, people seem to find better value out here in Airdrie,” says Royal LePage Foothills’ Chris Mulders. He says a single-family home can be bought for $365,000, while the price for a condo hovers around $240,000.

Sales have picked up in early 2011, Mulders says. “January was pretty strong in the retail market, our sales levels were up to levels we hadn’t seen since September of last year,” the Airdrie realtor says. “There is definitely some activity going on in the market.”

Mulders, who was born and raised in Airdrie, says the city is becoming more of a place to consider. “Now, with all of the amenities, Airdrie has become an alternative to living in the big city. It’s more laid-back, with less hustle and bustle.”

Curt Woodhall, the Senior Marketing Manager for Vesta Properties, says Airdrie is a great place to live for both young families and active, mature couples. Vesta’s Williamstown community seems to embrace Airdrie’s first class amenities that really cater to these groups.

“We have a wide range of home styles and prices to suit any lifestyle,” Woodhall says. “This gives us the ability to find a home that fits most buyers’ needs and enables people to live and grow in the same community for years, by moving up and down in Williamstown throughout the various stages of their lives.”

Williamstown opened in 2009, and is to be completed in three to five years.

It is one of several new communities in Airdrie that also includes Ravenswood, King’s Heights, Reunion, Windsong, Cooper’s Crossing and Bayside. 

Airdrie is a town that has seen phenomenal growth in the last number of years, says Brown. “We’re a young, dynamic city that is close to a major airport, a major metropolitan area. We have a small town feel with big city amenities.”

Last year’s municipal census revealed that Airdrie’s population grew 4.5 per cent in 12 months, to a total of 39,822. Around 95 per cent of Airdronians are under 65, and 70 per cent are under 45. A third of Airdrie’s population is under 25 years old. 

“We have a lot of young families, which is tremendous,” Brown says. “We have a variety of schooling here, we have private, Catholic, francophone and public schools. We have an excellent opportunity for parents to have a choice.”

For Mike and Leanne Bryce, who moved from Calgary in 2007, Airdrie was just right. “We chose Airdrie because it was super close to Calgary. It is a 15-minute drive to work,” Mike says. They take advantage of everything Airdrie has to offer, including great services and the lower tax rate. “Airdrie has everything we needed in terms of amenities like doctors and gas stations.”

There’s no shortage of things to do in Airdrie. There are numerous shopping, nightlife and dining options in the city. 

The city has all sorts of wellness and recreation opportunities and facilities. Airdrie has 82 kilometres of pathways, 68 sports fields, 23 ball diamonds, 46 soccer pitches and 700 acres of maintained park land. And, a well-maintained golf course within the city limits. If the great outdoors isn’t your thing, check out Genesis Place, a world-class fitness facility that has two field houses, a gigantic indoor gymnasium, an indoor running track and pools. 

Airdrie doesn’t stop there. Literally. They’re well on track for 2011 and beyond, as a new council took their places at the city’s helm. A rapid transit system was introduced last fall, and the city will be commencing work on road and water line infrastructure this year. 

For health and community services, the Airdrie Regional Health Centre is centrally located. And, the city is building new fire stations this year.

“We’ve got three fire halls coming on scene, one in Kingsway, one in Gateway and another in Chinook Winds,” Brown says. “They’re all going to be opened within the next 12 months.”

The annexation allows Airdronians to think big, create a vision of what we want to be, Brown says.

“Hopefully, what we’ll have with the expansion is that we’ll be able to provide jobs where people can live here. We want to make sure people can work, live and play in our community.”

 

AIRDRIE’S NEW COMMUNITIES:

 

Bayside/Bayside West

Bayside is an exciting blend of upscale single-family homes and condos. Nearly 80 per cent of all homes have private water access and nearly 50 per cent of all homes have the capability of installing private boat docks. Six kilometres of waterways are linked by walk and bike paths.

» Developer: Genesis Land

» Builders: Evolution Homes, Majestic Homes, Reliant Homes.

 

The Canals 

Located a quick drive from all of Airdrie’s shopping and service amenities, this neighbourhood is connected by a unique six-kilometre waterway system flowing into a five-acre lake. 

» Developer: Genesis Land

» Builders: Cordwell Fine Homes, Crestview Homes, Douglas Homes, Point Grey Homes, Swiatek Homes, Vanity Homes. 

 

Cooper’s Crossing/Estates of Cooper’s Crossing

Cooper’s Crossing is well designed and beautifully landscaped with a six kilometre pathway system connecting every corner of this hillside development. Airdrie’s most prestigious address is the Estates of Cooper’s Crossing with estate homes on lots up to 74 feet wide.

» Developer: WestMark Holdings Ltd

» Builders: Artigiano Developments, Copper Rock Homes, Homes by Avi, McKee Homes.

 

King’s Heights

Residents feel like royalty as they enter the community through its dramatic entry feature that includes a custom stone façade with tree-lined boulevard. Single-family homes and condos are now available. 

» Developer: Melcor Developments

» Builders: Multi-Family – Avalon Master Builder, Beattie Homes, Reid Built. 

Single-Family – Loreck Homes, McKee Homes, Reid Built, Shane Homes.

 

Prairie Springs

The best of both worlds may be a cliche, but it’s true at Prairie Springs. Situated in southwest Airdrie, this new master-planned community features 350 single-family detached homes on generously-sized lots

» Developer: Lamont Land Inc.

» Builders: Prominent Homes, Gallery Homes, McKee Homes, Jager Homes

 

Ravenswood

Ravenswood will appeal to a wide demographic with its affordable housing for young families and plan for sustainability over the long term. Residents will be within walking distance of downtown Airdrie or have a shorter commute to Calgary. 

» Developer: Qualico Communities

» Builders: Broadview Homes, McKee Homes, NuVista Homes, Pacesetter Homes.

 

Reunion 

Located in northwest Airdrie, Reunion spans 150 acres and includes the 5.83-acre Bowen Park, the community will also be home to a designated church site, a public school site, two tot lots, a 4.45-acre storm pond and interconnected pathways.

» Developer: Hopewell Residential Communities

» Builders: Excel Homes, McKee Homes, Sabal Homes

 

Williamstown

This new community developed by Vesta Properties will be home to over 1,000 families when complete and is built around the ecological backdrop of the Nose Creek preserve. 

» Developer: Vesta Properties

» Builers: Vesta Properties, Douglas Homes and Talisman Homes

 

Windsong

Ontario-based builder Mattamy’s first venture in the province promises to be like nothing else around with their trademark WideLot Homes that help create a neighbourly atmosphere with their front porches and other Mattamy key architectural design components. It’s an exclusive Mattamy community.

» Developer: Mattamy Homes