On a new flight path: Temiskaming eyes airport authority model.

AuthorRoss, Ian
PositionTEMISKAMING & REGION

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Some management changes are in store for the Earlton-Timiskaming Regional Airport.

The assets of the small rural airport are being transferred from a joint municipal services board to an airport authority in 2017.

Temiskaming Shores Mayor Carman Kidd said following the governance model of similarly sized airports in Parry Sound, Pembroke and Kenora will go a long way toward tapping into new sources of government funding to make some much-needed upgrades.

The articles of incorporation and a purchase agreement of $1 for the transfer are being drafted and 14 area municipalities --including Temiskaming Shores--are expected to sign on over the next three months.

"Realistically, we'll be signed over by year's end to operate for 2017 as a phase-in year," said Kidd. "We can develop a five-year capital plan and make sure everyone is comfortable (with the arrangement)."

The transfer does not require Transport Canada approval.

The airport is owned and operated by the Township of Armstrong, based in Earlton, but the current governance structure has had its shortcomings.

Area municipalities had been contributing on an annual per capita basis, Kidd said. While Temiskaming Shores alone was contributing $80,000 a year to cover operating expenses, "there was nothing toward capital improvements."

Kidd said the airport needs $700,000 to $800,000 in capital upgrades to seal cracks in the 6,000-foot main runway, rehabilitate a gravel crosswind runway, and replace or upgrade equipment.

Clearly the airport had become too much of a financial burden for Armstrong, said Kidd, in "putting aside their own infrastructure to improve the airport."

Establishing an airport authority will allow them to tap into government funding agencies. After three years, the authority would be eligible for the federal Airports Capital Assistance Program.

Joining the authority will be Temiskaming Shores, Englehart, Armstrong Township and 14 smaller rural municipalities.

The authority will be a not-for-profit corporation led by a board of directors with...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT