Airdrie Homes & Property Report - September 28th,2009

Issues Over At Albert Health

Despite an agreement in April of this year to continue to use unified emergency medical and fire services for at least the next two years, concerns were aired at a city council meeting last Monday about Airdrie Emergency Services' continued use of EMS ambulances to respond to fires.

Alberta Health Services has voiced its disapproval, citing seven dates where EMS teams were sent in response to fires, first in writing and then in a meeting on September 2. At the meeting, employees of the city of Airdrie were told that they were not following the terms of the contract signed before the transition on April 1.

Sheldon Leavit, chief of Emergency Services, does not agree with AHS's assessment of the situation, and aldermen sided with him. Leavit noted that enforcing separate services for fire and EMS could increase the cost of both services in Airdrie. It is also felt that the goal of Alberta Health Services is not known and that the province does not have an idea for a lasting resolution to the issue.

Airdrie Homes & Property Report - September 6th,2009

Plans For New Power Lines In The Area Include Passing Airdrie

The provincial minister of energy decided this month to provide the authorization for two power providers to build and manage new transmission lines between the two big cities in the province, Edmonton and Calgary.
It is meant to take some pressure off the existing grid, which is nearing it’s capacity these days in large part due to the large amount of growth in the province over the last couple of years.

Plans for the new lines to pass close by the town of Airdrie are not particularly suprising considering the geography of the area.  Most members of the community are worried, and are expressing their concerns about the health risks and the potential of damage to the local ecosystem.

The new lines are meant to reinforce the current grid, which hasn’t been upgraded for almost three decades now.  It will also link the province to a greater variety of power sources, including wind and solar sources.
The fact is that the longer Alberta waits to upgrade our electrical grid, the more it will cost. 

This is something everyone should want to avoid.

Airdrie Homes & Property Report - August 24th,2009

Busiest July on record for the Airdrie real estate market

There was a somewhat unexpected especially considering it happened during the traditional slower summer months.  But according to recently released numbers to the local real estate boards and the municipal government of Airdrie, the home market was the most active it’s every been during the month of July.

While residents are usually busy enjoy family holidays and warm weather during the summer, 113 families decided to purchase properties in the area in July, continuing the growing trend from the month of June.  Most were expecting a little bit of a slowdown during the month but all were pleasantly surprised by the activity.

In the big city, Calgary residential sales were 21% higher that the same time in 2008, but average prices slipped to just under four hundred thousand at $395,000.  In Airdire this trend also continued, with the averge price going down to $322,000.

New home builders decided to become a little more active in Airdrie too, with 53 new permits issued by the city.  All the signs are pointing to continued growth in the Airdrie real estate market, which in fantastic for the industry as well as the local population.

Airdrie Homes & Property Report - August 18th,2009

Most are thinking the upcoming 911 dispatchers strike won’t affect the Airdrie Area

While the city of Calgary has a few days to talk with the IBEW, over 90% of it’s members voted to take part in a strike last weekend.  This may have an effect on Airdrie, as our 911 calls are routed through the service in Calgary.  Most are confident that the city will make it work though, as am I.

Letting 911 calls go unanswered isn’t really an option, so the city is currently looking at other avenues, including employing temporary call staff.  Training new staff is currently taking place to ensure that those in need of emergency response in the Calgary and Airdrie areas are not affected.

A moderator is being brought in the negotiate the talks, which is a strong sign they will be resolved before the strike starts. Fingers crossed this is not a bridge we really need to cross, but the city is looking at a variety of ways to make sure the phones are staffed.  Included is a back up plan that will have officers themselves man the dispatch.

The union does have to give the city a forty eight hour notice period, so let’s hope we are not in the situation at the end of this week.