A partnership between the City of Airdrie and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints literally took shape yesterday (July 14) when 30 park benches were built by church members in a single day.  

Members of the Reunion Chapel put their woodworking skills to use, constructing the benches, which will make their debut during airdrieFEST 2018, in September.

Peter Straight, a Second Councillor with the Creekside Ward explains that the project is all a part of the church's efforts to be involved in their community. 

"Giving back to the community is what we do at our church.  One of the things we thought we could do is meeting with the city on different projects that we could help them with.  When this project came up we thought this would be good."

Church member Ben McMillan is a carpenter by trade and designed the prototype bench.  Straight says he was the one who met with the city to get the ball rolling.

Straight says Airdrie artisans will be painting the benches and they'll all be unveiled at airdrieFEST.  After that the benches are to be distributed through the city for people to enjoy.

"They won't be bolted down, they're just going to be placed around so people can see the beauty of the artwork and, I guess, the artwork that we're doing putting these together."

airdrieFEST will take place on Saturday, September 8th with a Street Festival from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm that showcases everything Airdrie has to offer.  New this year is "Music on Main" on Friday, September 7th from 6:00 until 10:00 pm.

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