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The City of Airdrie plans to convert the former Airdrie Public Library into civic administration offices, according to a report before council’s Sept. 16 consent agenda.
The document, titled Completed Analysis for Repurposing of Former Library Space, says the move to Inspire “creates an opportunity to strategically repurpose the old library while integrating it into the City’s real estate portfolio.” It adds that the report “is intended to inform potential Council members of the work in progress.”
Council endorsed an administration space strategy in May 2023 and later funded Capital Project 001146 to design a downtown corporate campus anchored by City Hall. The report states the vacated library would be used to accommodate teams currently located in satellite offices.
NEXT Architecture was hired in 2024 to review space needs across City Hall, the City Hall satellite and 2 Highland Park. Their analysis identified “means to use space more efficiently at City Hall and the impacts of continued participation generally in the work-from-home (WFH) program.” It concluded that “the efficient use of City Hall and repurposing of the former library space is sufficient to accommodate civic administration, except operational divisions located in East Lake.” The report does not outline plans for those East Lake divisions.
Renovations at City Hall and the library will involve creating new office space, adding more offices and meeting rooms, updating furniture and, in the report’s words, “repurposing of the vacated file rooms.” The changes, combined with WFH, are projected to support administration’s growth “for the next 8 to 12 years.”
Detailed design work began in the third quarter of 2025 and is expected to be completed in Q4 2025. The report notes that “Council will have the opportunity to review funding sources and amounts to implement the detailed design work as part of the 2026-2035 Capital Budget deliberations.”
It also says “Council will have public discussion on the 2026 to 2035 Capital Budget during deliberations in November 2025.” The timeline, it adds, aligns with the library’s move to Inspire, with activation of the space “pending Council’s budgetary approval.”
The document repeatedly emphasizes the creation of a downtown corporate campus, presenting it as a way to consolidate staff, optimize real estate and revitalize the core.
It lists three broader benefits: “Improved Collaboration and Efficiency,” “Real Estate Optimization,” and “Downtown Revitalization.” It also states that “revenue opportunities and scenarios to leverage repurposed space(s) will be brought to Council as applicable.”
Design costs were approved in 2023. The report says renovation costs will be brought forward during the 2026–2035 capital plan, with funding anticipated from Local Government Fiscal Framework dollars. It adds, “By consolidating staff into the administration campus, the City will be positioned to vacate the civic space at 2HP, creating an opportunity to lease the space.”
The recommendation is written in two forms: “That Council accepts this report for information,” and “accepts the report entitled ‘Completed Analysis for Repurposing of Former Library Space’, for information.”
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