Airdrie Life Magazine – Businesses that Care
Story By Alex Frazer-Harrison
Photos by Kurtis Kristianson
Website: Featured in Airdrie Life November 14, 2015

As an Airdrie-based developer, WestMark Holdings is already dedicated to the idea of building community. But the Gerla family, which has run the company since 1989, never wanted it to end with houses and sidewalks.

“Not only is the entire business based in Airdrie … we’re deeply involved with the city, both as a company and personally as residents,” says Paul Gerla. “Our livelihood depends on Airdrie … and [we] care deeply about its well-being.”

WestMark has supported Community Links, Airdrie Housing, the Alberta Summer Games, the food bank and ARTember, and helped erect the centennial sculpture in front of City Hall.

WestMark also honoured an active longtime resident by championing the renaming of East Lake Athletic Park after the late Ed Eggerer.

“There are a lot of great things in Airdrie,” Gerla says, adding that WestMark tries to lead by example when it comes to community support.

WestMark is also a major supporter of Airdrie Public Library, donating $20,000 to allow APL to obtain the latest books and DVDs for its Popular Picks collection. “The types of things that get people through the door,” Gerla says, adding that once people visit the library, they’ll hopefully be attracted to the other services and programs offered.

“We think the library is a very important aspect of the city … and I feel libraries will become even more important in the coming decade,” he says.