A permanent Pride pathway will be coming to Nose Creek Park. The Airdrie Pride Society (APS) confirmed the news, saying that the installation of a permanent pathway will mean fewer repairs and more durability.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Airdrie Pride Society (@airdriepridesociety)

"[There will be] no need for repainting for at least 25 years. It will be a permanent pathway in the same location that it [is] currently," said President of APS, Rhianne Fiolka. "We will be having similar colours, and we are adding in black and brown as a more inclusive flag."

Fiolka stressed that the permanent pathway was made possible by donations from the community.

"Back in 2020, when we had a lot of vandalism occur; we had a lot of donations that came in that were set aside specifically for a permanent pathway. That's why they were donated to us," she added. "And while we are working with The City [of Airdrie] on this, this is primarily fundraised for [and] by the community."

She said that APS has always tried to see and focus on the positives, even in the instances when the public hears of vandalism.

"What we see as a Pride board is all of the love and support that comes in after the fact; including things like these donations that have come from a community. We received a lot of donations from Airdrie, Alberta, and even donations nationally," Fiolka explained. "Which really does show you that while there might be some acts of vandalism in the community, on the whole, we're trying to make sure that Airdrie is a safer place for the queer community, and that there are locals who support you and who want you here."

There is hope that the permanent pathway will be installed before the Airdrie Pride Festival, though Fiolka added there are no guarantees. Regardless, she said it would be most definitely ready during the summer. 

"We will have a ribbon cutting for it; either at the festival or when it's fully put in."

APS's pride festival, which has been dubbed "Perseverance in Pride" for 2024 will be happening on June 22 in Nose Creek Park. 

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