City asks Indigenous youth in Airdrie to share their perspectives on recreation to inform design for the SW Recreation Centre

Press Release

April 14, 2026

Airdrie, AB – The City of Airdrie is inviting Indigenous youth and their families to share their perspectives as planning continues for the SW Recreation Centre.

“Truth and reconciliation is about listening, learning and building relationships,” says Mayor Heather Spearman. “The City is taking another step toward understanding how our shared community spaces can reflect respect and respond to diverse experiences as Airdrie continues to grow.”

The engagement is open to Indigenous youth who live in or attend school in Airdrie. Participation is voluntary and based on self-identification. Youth and families choose whether to take part and how much they wish to share. Engagement options include an in-person session and an optional online survey.

Participants will be asked for input on recreation interests, barriers to participation and what helps youth feel safe, welcome and included in recreation spaces. Insights from this engagement will help inform culturally responsive design during the schematic design phase of the SW Recreation Centre as well as future operational planning.

The intent is to help ensure Indigenous youth voices are included and considered as recreation grows and the SW Recreation Centre moves forward. Indigenous youth and their families in urban settings may experience community spaces differently and can face unique barriers to participation. Broader public engagement may not always provide space for these perspectives to be fully heard.

“Engaging directly with Indigenous youth helps us better understand how recreation spaces can support safety, belonging and participation,” says Aimee Johnston, manager, Recreation Services. “Their experiences and insights help inform how we design spaces and offer programming that encourages participation.”

This engagement builds on earlier public and user group engagement conducted through initiatives such as the Indoor and Outdoor Recreation Needs Assessment, Resident Satisfaction Survey, Social Needs Assessment, budget surveys and the SW Recreation Centre site master planning engagement. It is part of the City’s development of an Indigenous Framework and Action Plan, which will guide actions towards reconciliation, including meaningful responses to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action.

The City will continue speaking with other underrepresented groups through 2026 and 2027 to better understand inclusive recreation needs.

To learn more or participate visit airdrie.ca/indigenous-youth-recreation.

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Media contact:
Communications, Engagement & Marketing
City of Airdrie
corporate.communications@airdrie.ca

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