The Alberta government has confirmed $2 million in planning funds for Airdrie’s integrated primary and urgent care facility as part of Budget 2025—a detail first reported by Discover Airdrie in February after a government official confirmed the funding. However, speaking in Airdrie on Friday, Health Minister Adriana LaGrange did not provide a firm timeline for when the facility will open.
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“It all depends on how quickly the planning can get done. And then, of course, as we’re going into budget 2026—which will be, we just announced budget 2025—budget 2026 is a year away. If the planning can be done quickly, then we’ll be able to adjust the dollars accordingly,” LaGrange said.
Airdrie’s project is part of a $24-million investment in health capital planning across the province. Of the $17 million earmarked in Budget 2025 for planning urgent care projects, $15 million will support planning eight new urgent care centres across Alberta, while the $2 million is earmarked for Airdrie.
“Today, I am very pleased to share that if passed, Budget 2025 would provide a total of $17 million in planning funds to support the development of urgent care facilities right across our province. This includes $15 million to support plans for urgent care centres in West Edmonton, South Edmonton, Westview, which would be Stony Plain/Spruce Grove, East Calgary, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Cold Lake, and Fort McMurray,” LaGrange said.
The push for more urgent care centres is part of a strategy to reduce pressure on emergency departments by diverting lower-acuity cases to urgent care.
“Considering approximately 35 per cent and I’ve heard some say, as many as 70 per cent of all emergency department visits are less urgent and could be redirected to urgent care and primary care centres, redirecting patients to urgent care centres would free up much-needed capacity in our hospitals while providing improved patient experiences,” she added.
One Health Airdrie’s model approved, but construction timeline unknown
The operating model for One Health Airdrie was approved in fall 2024, allowing the project to move into the planning phase. Under this model, One Health Airdrie will serve as the primary care provider, while urgent care services will be publicly funded and delivered by a provider selected through a competitive process.
“The operating model, approved last fall, will see One Health Airdrie as the primary care operator, while urgent care services will be publicly funded and operated by a provider selected through a competitive process,” LaGrange said.
Renovations to Airdrie Community Health Centre delayed to fall 2025
Renovations to the Airdrie Community Health Centre—funded by $8.4 million previously allocated—were initially expected to be completed by late summer 2025, but LaGrange hinted at delays.
“My understanding is it was to be complete by late summer. I think that’s going to go into fall, but that will be done.”
The renovations are meant consolidate public health and non-urgent care services into one area, increase treatment room capacity by 37.5 per cent, and add a new trauma and negative air pressure room.
Airdrie’s rapid growth raises questions about planning capacity
Airdrie’s population is expected to surpass 90,000 this year and could reach 100,000 in the next few years. During the press conference, LaGrange was asked whether planning for 85,000 residents today would meet the needs of a community with rapid growth.
LaGrange acknowledged Airdrie’s rapid growth but did not indicate whether future population projections would affect planning or funding decisions.
Dr. Julian Kyne: Airdrie’s urgent care capacity will increase by 200%
Dr. Julian Kyne of One Health Airdrie, who also works as a physician at Airdrie’s current urgent care facility, said the facility serves between 100 and 150 patients per day. Kyne said the new facility will increase capacity by 200 per cent, allowing for greater access to urgent care services.
Michelle Bates: no long-term plan after 15 years of advocacy
Discover Airdrie spoke with Michelle Bates, executive director of the Airdrie Health Foundation, in early March after the Budget 2025 announcement. When asked about the lack of new construction funding for Airdrie’s current urgent care facility, Bates said the renovations were only intended as a short-term solution.
“I guess it’s the same answer we’ve had for 15 years. We still haven’t had an announcement for long term planning, and it’s just more Band Aid solutions. Our understanding is that the reno[vation] at the health centre was only supposed to help us for the next five years.”
Bates questioned whether operating One Health Airdrie alongside the existing facility would create confusion and complicate resource management.
“Right now, the plans for One Health aren’t exactly apples to apples with the existing urgent care. So, patients are going to have to decide which one do I go to? I don’t know how they’re going to triage an ambulance to decide which health and which urgent care to go to.”
Bates questions whether planning funds will lead to real progress
When asked about the $2 million allocated for planning One Health Airdrie, Bates questioned whether the funds would lead to concrete progress.
“It’s great we have a renovation at the health centre. It’s great that they’ve announced the One Health [facility]. But nothing’s happening there either, and if they’re just giving money for planning. There’s a lot of money going into planning, and they’re planning nothing, essentially, is what we can see.”
Mayor Peter Brown: Airdrie’s top priority remains better health care
Airdrie Mayor Peter Brown said securing additional health care resources has been Airdrie’s top priority for years, citing the city’s rapid growth and increasing demand for services.
“Obviously, we’ve advocated for additional health care in our community for many years, and it’s actually the number one issue with our residents—improved access to health care.”
Brown said the One Health Airdrie model is designed to meet the region’s growing health care needs.
“So many Airdrie residents don’t have access to primary care from physicians and rely on urgent care or emergent care. A second urgent care, slash primary care facility, helps to support our growth and the growth of the region.”
One Health Airdrie positioned as a potential model for Alberta
LaGrange said One Health Airdrie’s integrated model is positioned to serve as a template for future developments across Alberta.
“Here in Airdrie, the new proposed integrated primary and urgent care facility is an innovative model that could serve as an example of how to improve access to care in future facility developments.”
Brown agreed.
“We always say, if it can’t be done in Airdrie, it can’t be done anywhere. So we’re great to see this innovative initiative come forward.”
Airdrie’s population in 2024 was 85,805 residents, according to a city-wide census. Projections show continued growth, with the population expected to reach 91,078 in 2025 and exceed 100,000 by 2027.
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