Airdrie’s urgent care centre opened new space and treatment rooms Sept. 9 after an $8.4-million renovation that the province says will shorten waits and improve infection control. This is the second of three phases to renovate the Airdrie Community Health Centre, according to a Government of Alberta news release. The centre handled almost 40,000 patients in 2023-24 and has provided 24-hour urgent care since 2017 for non-life-threatening conditions, the Sept. 16 release said. “This is an important step in strengthening Alberta’s health care system,” said Hospital and Surgical Health Services Minister Matt Jones in the release. “Urgent care centres, such as the one in Airdrie, reduce pressure on emergency departments and help ensure Albertans receive timely, high-quality care closer to home.” Capacity has grown by about 38 per cent with six new treatment rooms, including a trauma bay and a negative-pressure room to limit the spread of infection. Other upgrades include a new EMS bay so paramedics can transfer patients directly to triage, more triage stations, a larger waiting area and a dictation room for staff, the Sept. 16 release said. “The Airdrie Community Health Centre optimization project reflects our commitment to providing Albertans with the care they need when and where they need it,” said Preventative and Primary Health Services Minister Adriana LaGrange in the release. Phase 1 finished in January by consolidating public health, postpartum and rehabilitation programs. Phase 3 is scheduled to start this fall, converting the former urgent care area into home-care offices, administrative and support space, and more patient areas, the Sept. 16 release said. “Upgrades like these make a lasting difference for patients, families and staff,” said Dr. Chris Eagle, interim CEO of Acute Care Alberta, in the release. “From more private and comfortable spaces to modern features that support infection prevention and EMS transfers, these upgrades help ensure the community has access to care in a setting designed to meet today’s needs and tomorrow’s demands.” The government said it has also committed $15 million to plan eight new urgent care centres across Alberta and $2 million for another urgent and primary care facility in Airdrie. The renovation was put on hold in January 2024. On Jan. 30, Discover Airdrie reported the province told the Airdrie Health Foundation the project was “on pause as the government is looking into other opportunities for our community.” Executive director Michelle Bates said at the time the province described that opportunity as “privately delivered and publicly funded.” In February 2024, Mayor Peter Brown said the pause was tied to a joint proposal by One Health and Qualico Communities, which sought to reroute the renovation funds. MLA Angela Pitt later told Discover Airdrie the renovations would resume. In April 2024, Alberta Health confirmed an $85,000 grant to One Health Airdrie to co-develop a business plan for an integrated primary and urgent care facility. That proposal was formally approved in fall 2024, with $2 million in planning funds confirmed in Budget 2025. During a March 2025 visit to Airdrie, LaGrange said the planning funds were confirmed but gave no construction date. “It all depends on how quickly the planning can get done,” she said. In the March 28 government release, Dr. Julian Kyne of One Health Airdrie said the proposed integrated facility would provide same-day access to about 30,000 primary care patients and increase urgent care capacity by around 200 per cent. Airdrie’s population is 91,078 in 2025, according to the city’s census and growth projections. The city is the largest municipality in Alberta without a hospital. Patients with life-threatening emergencies will continue to be sent to Calgary hospitals, the Sept. 16 release said. The March 28 release also said visits to emergency departments across Alberta are projected to rise by 27 per cent by 2038. Sign up to get the latest local news headlines delivered directly to your inbox every afternoon. Send your news tips, story ideas, pictures, and videos to news@discoverairdrie.com. You can also message and follow us on Twitter: @AIR1061FM. DiscoverAirdrie encourages you to get your news directly from your trusted source by bookmarking this page and downloading the DiscoverAirdrie app.