On July 4, 2023, Council endorsed Ed Eggerer Athletic Park as the location for Airdrie's new artificial turf field. Construction is set to begin in the spring of 2024, which will temporarily close public use of the field and its surrounding running track. The Football Canada and FIFA sanctioned field and surrounding track are expected to reopen in September 2024.
In 2021, the City partnered with the Artificial Turf Field Society to commission a report examining the feasibility of an artificial turf sportsfield in the community. Geotechnical considerations were raised pertaining to the suitability of the soil conditions and further geotechnical investigation was completed as directed by Council.
The resulting report that examined soil suitability, considered alternate field locations, such as the future SW recreation centre and examined the viability of a potential air supported dome. It was found that alternate locations could also present soil suitability considerations and would require additional infrastructure, such as bleachers, parking and washrooms, which already exist at Ed Eggerer Athletic Park. It was also found that an air supported dome would require considerable operating and snow removal costs and that the location of Ed Eggerer Athletic Park could not support a four-season dome.
In July 2023, Council endorsed Ed Eggerer Athletic Park as the location for Airdrie's new artificial turf field, which will also receive lighting and press box enhancements.
| Year | Timeline Step |
|---|---|
| 2021 | Artificial Turf Feasibility Study |
| 2022 | Council requests further investigation of the proposed location's suitability |
| 2023 | Further geotechnical testing |
| 2023 | Artificial Turf Suitability at Ed Eggerer Athletic Park report |
| Summer 2023 | Council selects Ed Eggerer Athletic Park as artificial turf site |
| Spring 2024 | Construction begins |
| Fall 2024 | New artificial turf field opens |