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Despite being called a 'white elephant' during budget talks, the
Kincardine Airport is an important asset to the community and continues
to have the support of Kincardine council.
Don Jones of the airport governance committee, told council earlier this
month that a survey of pilots using the airport showed a need for
increased services, and members of the community want more access to the
airport to rent the facilities there.
He said a tripartite agreement has been worked out, among the
municipality, Bruce Power and Suncor, to pay for a Global Positioning
System (GPS) at the airport, and a three-year service provider contract
has been completed.
Last year, the committee had some issues with the tenant at the airport
house, but now has a rental agreement for 2.5 years, at a rate of
$1,200/month. The operating budget was down from 2007, with the
committee keeping closer tabs on what's going on. The net operating cost
for 2007 was $102,426. In 2008, it was $80,657 which was still almost
$8,000 over-budget.
This year's objectives include:
- Maintaining financial stability and looking at ways to reduce
expenses;
- Improving customer service with the GPS system which allows
companies, such as Bruce Power, to come and go at all hours and in
all kinds of weather;
- Implementing a fuel cardlock system which allows pilots to fuel
up without having staff on location - the $30,000 cost will be
partially funded by an Investing in Ontario grant;
- Improving public awareness by promoting airport services
(facility rentals) and airport events, such as the annual Airplanes,
Bikes and Cars (ABC) Gathering;
- Developing long-term plans for the airport by updating the
master plan, implementing an airport vicinity mapping zoning bylaw,
and investigating airport development opportunities, such as
building hangars to rent out;
- Updating infrastructure renewal plans, and ensuring compliance
with regulations - an internal safety audit will be completed, with
emphasis on the runway and the lights.
Jones said the operating budget for 2009 is up by 3.5 per cent,
including $250,000 for runway repaving (an annual cost), $30,000 for
the cardlock fuel system, $24,000 for GPS, and $2,000 for airport
rezoning.
(next column)
28/03/2009 08:55 PM
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He emphasized the work on the runway is required because
it's 20-25 years old and has cracks in it. Over the next four to five
years, it will undergo a significant rebuild, he said, at an annual cost
of $250,000/year.
"What is the value of the airport to the community?" asked deputy mayor
Laura Haight.
Jones said miles of roadway will take you so far, but miles of runway
will take you significantly farther. "Bruce Power brings businesses to
this area which use the airport on a regular basis because it's
expedient for them. Otherwise, they would have to go elsewhere, to
Hanover or Goderich."
He said there are huge spin-off benefits to the local economy because
people fly into the Kincardine Airport and then go for dinner or shop
downtown.
Councillor Ron Hewitt said the airport governance committee has been in
existence for only a year which is not enough time to evaluate it. "We
need to give this committee a chance," he said.
When questioned about advantages of the airport for smaller industries
and businesses, Jones said aviation is expensive and usually available
to only a certain size of business which can lease or own aircraft. He
added that there are small companies that could take advantage of the
airport because they service aircraft, such as aircraft maintenance
engineers and aircraft maintenance organizations.
Councillor Mike Leggett admitted he called the airport a 'white
elephant' during budget talks because he believes it costs too much
money. "It's a nice piece of property for light industry," he said. "We
should give it a chance to see how the committee works out."
"The airport is a great asset to this community," said mayor Larry
Kraemer. "It serves an economic function, a recreational function for
flyers, and a learning function through Evans Aviation. A lot of people
use the airport, not just Bruce Power. It's one of the better airports
in the region."
Council accepted the committee's report.
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