Spending between $4 and $5 million to expand an airport that is rarely used makes no sense, says Town of Osoyoos Mayor elect Sue McKortoff.
“We don’t think airport expansion is high enough up the list of priorities and we don’t think the current airport is the best use of that land,” said McKortoff, following an announcement by the town on Monday that town council is exploring a more practical use for an airport facility that now serves a limited number of recreational aircraft and a drag strip for local drag racing enthusiasts. “We think expanding the industrial base makes more sense.”
Council determined in early November the existing airport lands could be better used for industrial expansion and then met with members of the town’s Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) and Destination Osoyoos boards on November 17 and explained its conclusion.
All agreed council’s direction was in the best interests of the community.
“Very few aircraft use the existing airfield,” explained Mayor Stu Wells, adding that council had grappled over the last two years with a proposed $4.5-million expansion to make the facility a more viable operation.
An expansion would have required the purchase of some adjacent property, he added.
Council viewed the $4.5-million expenditure as redundant given the airport facilities in Oliver and a shuttle service recently developed to move air travellers from Kelowna and Penticton airports to Osoyoos.
“We’re confident visitors to Osoyoos arriving by pleasure aircraft can be accommodated by the Oliver facility,” said McKortoff. “Given the location of the property near Hwy. 3 and Hwy. 97, using the land for an industrial purpose makes so much more sense.”
The airport property was granted to the town for airport purposes. Before changing the property’s use to industrial, the town would be required to purchase it from the province.
“Osoyoos has a limited land base and must make the best use of the land that is available to the community,” said McKortoff. “Future growth and development of the community will require additional industrial lands.”
The town currently has just two industrial lots available for sale and development.
Barry Romanko, the town’s Chief Administrative Officer, said he was pleased with the way in which the decision was made.
“Right now we’re somewhat in between two councils, with one going out and another ready to begin service December 1,” he explained. “By involving all councillors in the discussion, we’ve provided for continuity.”
The new council will have the final say on whether to move forward with the land purchase — and subsequent decision to convert the airport to industrial use, said McKortoff.
“Obviously, there will be substantial consultation with members of the Osoyoos community as well,” said McKortoff. “No final decisions have been made.”
There are currently “only a very few planes” that use the Osoyoos Airport and the town has been unable to expand its current industrial park due to space restrictions, said McKortoff.
The Desert Wine Country Association has used the airport strip to hold drag racing for several events each year over the past several years. They would have to find a new place to hold their races if the airport is closed and used for industrial expansion, she said.
The tentative plan would be to turn the current air strip into a roadway and construct industrial businesses on either side of the roadway, said McKortoff.
There have been discussions to expand the Osoyoos Airport over the past several years, but every plan would involve the town having to purchase a significant amount of additional land to expand the current runway and that doesn’t make financial sense when you consider the pricetag for land acquisition and airport expansion would be between $4 and $5 million, she said.
“It would be very expensive and we just can’t afford it,” she said. “We think that land could be used better than it is currently.”
It would probably take another referendum to spend that kind of money on airport expansion and no one on the current council or the incoming council believes residents would support such a referendum following the recent referendum on building a new fire hall for the town, said McKortoff.
What to do with the airport will be a top priority for herself and the new council after they are sworn in next Monday, said McKortoff.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
