The newly renovated urgent care space at Airdrie Community Health Centre opened to patients on Sept. 9, marking a major milestone in the centre’s ongoing three-phase transformation. The $8.4-million investment expands treatment room capacity by 37.5 per cent, improves patient flow and strengthens infection prevention and control while supporting overall care delivery.
“This is an important step in strengthening Alberta’s health care system. Urgent care centres, such as the one in Airdrie, reduce pressure on emergency departments and help ensure Albertans receive timely, high-quality care closer to home.”
Key improvements in Phase 2 include:
- Six new treatment spaces, including a trauma room and a negative air pressure room, which will improve infection prevention and control, expand capacity and help reduce wait times.
- A new EMS parking area inside urgent care, allowing paramedics to transfer patients directly into the triage queue for timely assessments.
- A dedicated dictation room to support clinical documentation.
- An expanded waiting area and additional triage stations to enhance privacy, comfort and efficiency for both patients and staff.
“The Airdrie Community Health Centre optimization project reflects our commitment to providing Albertans with the care they need when and where they need it.”
These efforts build on the success of Phase 1, completed in January 2025, which brought together public health, postpartum and rehabilitation services to lay the foundation for the urgent care expansion. The optimization project will continue with Phase 3, which will begin later this fall and focus on renovations to the old urgent care area. This next phase will consolidate home care and introduce new administrative, patient and support spaces designed to enhance privacy, comfort and operational efficiency.
“Upgrades like these make a lasting difference for patients, families and staff. From more private and comfortable spaces to modern features that support infection prevention and EMS transfers, these upgrades help ensure the community has access to care in a setting designed to meet today’s needs and tomorrow’s demands.”
The Airdrie Community Health Centre optimization is part of Alberta’s broader strategy to expand health care access for Albertans. In addition to this project, the province has committed $15 million to plan eight new urgent care centres across Alberta and $2 million for an additional integrated urgent and primary care centre in Airdrie. Together, these initiatives will reduce wait times, improve outcomes and ease pressure on hospitals.
Quick facts
- Since April 3, 2017, Airdrie Community Health Centre has provided 24-7 services for unexpected but non-life-threatening health concerns requiring same-day treatment.
- In 2023-24, almost 40,000 patients received care at the centre.
- Urgent care centres in Airdrie and across Alberta treat a wide range of conditions, including broken bones, sprains, lacerations, asthma, dehydration, pain and infections.
- Patients with life-threatening conditions will continue to receive care in Calgary.
Related news
- Expanding urgent care across Alberta (March 28, 2025)