In the run up to the 2017 election, we asked our readers and listeners what issues matter most to them. Every day, we ask candidates for their thoughts on healthcare, growth, traffic, city facilities, downtown, and the other issues important to their campaign. Today, Chris Gourlie addresses your issues.

Council candidate Chris Gourlie was not happy with the way the City rolled out the Airdrie Main Street Square project, and he believes that the process eroded Airdronians' trust in City Hall. Gourlie hopes that, if elected, he'll be able to increase efficiency and transparency with the public about where their money is being spent.

Gourlie also does not believe downtown redevelopment is the biggest issue facing the city.

"I believe downtown needs something. I don't think it needs a $110 million project. We have bigger things we need. We need bigger healthcare, we need our roads, we need schools, we need more things than we need the downtown redevelopment at this time."

Instead, Gourlie believes his time as a Councillor would be better spent on things like healthcare. If elected, Gourlie says he would make it a priority to get the Airdrie and Area Health Benefits Cooperative up and running. Due to Airdrie's proximity to Calgary, Gourlie does not think a hospital will ever be built here. The health cooperative is, in his opinion, the next best thing.

Gourlie also said that he would like to do a better job with one of the main burdens of Airdrie's growth: infrastructure and traffic. Now that growth in Airdrie has slowed slightly, Gourlie believes it is time to be forward thinking when it comes to building roads.

"I'll use, for example, Eighth Street. It was originally built as a single lane. Two years later, they decide, 'Oh, we need to make this double lane.' We need to be forward thinking. Let's build it double lane to begin with."

Gourlie also thinks traffic priorities for the next Council should be synchronizing the lights on Yankee Valley Boulevard and lobbying the provincial government for at least one or two interchanges to allow greater access to Highway 2. Gourlie is also skeptical about the recent changes to the intersection of Yankee Valley Boulevard and Sierra Springs Drive. He believes the changes made at that intersection to accommodate a left hand turn signal could actually result in new traffic problems.

Gourlie sees a need for some sort of new facility in the northwest of the city. While he doesn't believe Airdrie necessarily needs a second Genesis Place, there is a need for more recreational space and another pool. Gourlie thinks Airdrie could benefit from having some sort of entertainment centre in the northwest, which he believes would serve as an attraction to people outside of Airdrie.

On the subject of facilities, Gourlie said there is also a need in Airdrie for more spaces that can host events.

"The T&C is old, it's tired, it's not very big. I'd like to see a 2,500 capacity facility. And that can be divided into sub-rooms and have weddings, conferences."

Gourlie also said the city needs a bigger library, and he's open to the possibility of converting the old fire hall on Main Street for that purpose.

Other campaign issues to Gourlie are more indoor and outdoor youth activities to keep Airdrie's young people engaged. He'd also like to see more public art, and thinks painting every green electrical box in Airdrie is a way to make the city look beautiful without a huge price tag attached.

 

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