New amenities are important to residents
The vast majority of respondents to engagement surveys indicated recreation is important to their quality of life.
Assessing recreation needs in our community
In 2021, GEC Architecture and HarGroup Management Consultants Inc. were commissioned by the City to conduct an Indoor and Outdoor Recreation Needs Assessment Study as part of the initial planning for a new multi-purpose recreation facility and regional park.
Key findings
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Aquatic facility a top indoor recreation priority
Indoor leisure aquatic facilities and indoor flatwater aquatic facilities comprised the top two priorities when respondents were asked to allocate $100 across recreation amenities.
Outdoor pathways & parks rank as top outdoor needs
Outdoor pathways and trails ranked as the top outdoor recreation priority and the third overall recreation priority when respondents were asked to allocate $100 across amenities.
Households allocated 68% of funds to indoor use
Respondents prioritized indoor opportunities over outdoor recreation when asked to distribute $100 to a list of different types of indoor and outdoor recreation amenities.
Recreation service providers need more space.
87 per cent of service providers agreed Airdrie needs more recreation spaces in five to 10 years.
Notable observed gaps between communities
Aquatic facilities, banquet halls and tennis or pickleball courts emerged as Airdrie's largest deficits when compared to similar communities.
Who we asked
Airdrie residents were engaged through community surveys to gain information about needs and expectations for recreation within the community in October and November of 2021. The surveys involved questions about household members' behaviors, opinions and interests. Respondents were asked to have one adult member respond to the survey questions on behalf of the household. All Airdrie resident households were given an opportunity to participate in an open-link online survey and an additional survey process was conducted with a random sample of resident households.
- A total of 880 resident households completed the open-link online form, which was available on the City of Airdrie website and promoted City of Airdrie social media and street signs.
- A total of 476 random invite questionnaires were returned from a sample of 3,800 household mailing addresses.
Local school divisions, the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce, a local Junior B hockey team and service providers that offer recreation services to Airdrie residents were invited to participate in an online survey in November 2021. A total of 36 service providers participated in the survey:
- A To G Piano Studio
- Airdrie BMX
- Airdrie and District Soccer Association
- ADSA (indoors and outdoors)
- Airdrie Community Gardens
- Airdrie Curling Club
- Airdrie Dance Academy
- Airdrie Men's Slo-pitch
- Airdrie Minor Football
- Airdrie Minor Hockey Association
- Airdrie Mixed Industrial Slopitch
- Airdrie Nutty Housewives Hockey
- League
- Airdrie Phoenix Swim Club
- Airdrie Pickleball Club
- Airdrie Recreational Hockey League
- Airdrie Ringette Association
- Airdrie Skating Club
- Airdrie Stars Athletic Association
- Airdrie Triathlon Club
- AMIS 2 (Friday League)
- Batting Against Breast Cancer
- Community Tennis and Fitness Inc.
- Egyptian Dreams Dance Studio
- Explosive Edge
- Grace Soccer
- Jazzed Up Events Ltd
- Mckee Music
- Nose Creek Swim Association
- Nose Creek Valley Museum
- Over 50 Club
- Rachel's Music Lessons
- Remembrance Day Ceremony
- Rocky Mountain Symphony Orchestra
- Rockyview Lacrosse Association
- Skyline Music Studio Ltd
- Special Olympics Alberta
- Volunteer Airdrie
Communities throughout Canada were researched to identify those that have populations between 60,000 and 150,000 (based on the 2016 Federal Census) and had similar demographic characteristics to Airdrie. Six communities similar to Airdrie were selected for a comparative review examining indoor and outdoor facility/amenity ratios to identify gaps.
- St. Albert, Alberta
- Sherwood Park, Alberta
- Newmarket, Ontario
- Lethbridge, Alberta
- Red Deer, Alberta
- Kelowna, British Columbia
- Meetings held with Recreation and Parks staff to discuss the community and various issues related to the supply and demand of recreation facilities.
- Review of user amenity utilization and finance statistics from City of Airdrie recreation and parks facilities.
Review of key City of Airdrie planning documents such as:
- 2019 Municipal Census
- AirdrieOne Sustainability Plan
- Artificial Turf Sportsfield Feasibility Study (2021)
- Great Places Plan
- Sport Field Management Plan (2021)
- Youth Needs Assessment Study (2016)
- Youth Engagement Strategy Framework (2019)
And reivew of other available information such as census and community information, industry issues, stakeholder information and facilities in the regional area.
How results are being used
Results for the Indoor and Outdoor Recreation Needs Assessment Study are being used in decisions about Airdrie's new northeast regional park and new southwest recreation centre - which are both in development.
Findings from this study were used in collaboration with and to develop the Southwest Recreation Facility Phased Approach to Development of Facility Components and Amenities Summary Report - which helped shape a 'broadest community voiced needs' thematic focus to Phase I of the new SW recreation centre. LEARN MORE.
Contact us at involve@airdrie.ca
