Airdrie’s new Inspire multi-use facility and library will open to the public Oct. 4 following a two-week soft launch that begins Sept. 18, according to a service overview report accepted by council Tuesday.
City staff confirmed construction is on schedule and the facility is now entering its commissioning phase — a process described in the report as a "systematic process that verifies and documents that a building and its systems are designed, installed, inspected, tested, operated, and managed as intended."
The soft opening will begin with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 18. Council is expected to participate in the event.
City administration described the purpose of the soft launch as a trial phase: "A soft opening is meant to test the operations, gather feedback and make adjustments to the building to ensure issues are addressed prior to inviting the general public."
Events planned during the soft opening include a business and neighbourhood showcase on Sept. 22–23, a public art tour on Oct. 1, and an invitation-only gala on Oct. 2. The gala will recognize project funders, sponsors, the Airdrie Public Library Board, and guests.
The full public opening will take place Saturday, Oct. 4. The report notes that "various free entertainment and activities will be offered to the public to learn and experience what Inspire has to offer."
A time capsule ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 7.
Facility programs, rentals and hours
Following the public opening, City-led visual arts programming will begin Nov. 3 and run through Dec. 12. The facility will host classes for children, youth, adults, and families with young children.
Facility spaces including the Atrium, Presenter Space, studios and meeting rooms will be made available for public booking from September through December. Rental bookings open to the public beginning in September.
A series of community activations are planned during the fall including live concerts, speaker series, teen music nights, artist showcases, and parent social events.
Facility hours will be:
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Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
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Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
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Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
City staff are coordinating with the Airdrie Public Library to finalize library-specific hours and grand opening activities.
According to the report, "The multi-use spaces will promote art-centered development and will increase community connections and gathering."
Artist and performer recruitment underway
Inspire’s fall launch also includes multiple public calls for contributors. A call for visual artists opened in May under the theme A Breath Beyond. Selected works will be featured in Inspire’s inaugural exhibition, with all entries evaluated under the City’s Public Art Policy.
From June through August, emerging musicians are invited to submit expressions of interest to perform at Open Atelier events, Teen Performance Nights, and Community Concert evenings.
In July and August, the City will accept proposals from organizers interested in hosting curated artisan markets in the Inspire Atrium. The space is intended to feature vendors including illustrators, photographers, jewelry designers, ceramicists, leatherworkers, fibre artists, and non-profits.
Program and speaker registration opens Aug. 10. Additional marketing will continue through December to promote Inspire’s live events, drop-in activities and rental availability.
Branding and communication
Inspire’s visual identity was developed by the City’s in-house graphic designer and installed on the facility in April 2025. The report states the name and branding were selected to reflect the project’s core mission: "Being inspired creates limitless opportunities and ideas. It is the foundation of all things in life."
"The Inspire facility is a place to achieve all of these things and more," the report adds. "Inspire offers a place for all to come, to gather, to learn, to create, to connect."
Communications tactics include social media campaigns, e-newsletters, road signage, paid ads and dedicated webpages on the City of Airdrie website.
Budget and governance
Inspire has an approved 2025 operating budget to fund programs, staffing and facility operations. The City confirmed that "as this newly established facility becomes operational and expenses become clearer, any necessary budget amendments will be proposed."
No construction delays were reported in the June 3 update. If unanticipated issues arise, the report notes that "the Project Team may be required to modify some of the scheduled activities to rectify issues."
The service overview was presented as a consent item and not debated during council’s June 3 meeting. The plan was previously reviewed by the Community and Corporate Services Standing Committee. According to the report, the committee "shared their appreciation of the numerous programs and services offered at Inspire."
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