by JENNIFER LAYMAN
Special to Whitewater News
PEMBROKE — The Pembroke and Area Airport officially kicked-off its campaign to repave the runway on Wednesday, October 4. The kick-off was supported by several individuals and organizations who had already pledged support to the runway campaign, one of which was the Beachburg Lions Club.
Tony Mercier and Audrey Comack were on hand to present a $1,000 donation to the campaign. The Beachburg Lions Club heard a presentation from the Airport at a regular meeting on Saturday, September 23 and the following morning, they pledged a $1,000 to the campaign. Mr. Mercier made remarks at the kick-off that he hoped their club’s initiative would spur others to give to the campaign.
“That’s what service clubs do – we put money back into the community,” he said. “And we challenge other service clubs to do the same.”
In addition to the Lions Club, the Renfrew Industrial Commission also pledged a $250 donation, along with a personal donation from Dave Lemkay, the Commission’s Executive Director. Mr. Lemkay noted that while Renfrew was not one of the municipal owners of the facility, he felt the Airport was important to Renfrew County as a whole, and that made it important to them to support.
“What benefits the county benefits us all,” he said.
Other donors on hand included Jed Reinwald of Laurentian Hills who wanted to purchase the first foot of runway after the Airport played a role in saving the life of his grandson, Silas, who was sent by an air ambulance airplane to the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). In a heartfelt message, Mr. Reinwald reported that Silas is an active toddler today. The first foot will be dedicated in Silas’ name.
Wendy Murphy heard Mr. Reinwald’s story at a meeting of the North Renfrew Rotary Club and immediately asked to buy the second foot. That meeting took place well before the campaign had officially launched, and before Ms. Murphy herself was a passenger aboard an Ornge air ambulance transfer to Ottawa for a hip replacement surgery.
“I look at this airport as insurance for where we live and the possibilities that we would never even imagine,” she said, “whether it be fighting forest fires or providing air ambulances for unexpected medical emergencies.”
In a surprise donation, Lorraine Pecoskie, who was representing Kin Canada of Pembroke, made a personal donation of $250 for her foot of runway. Ms. Pecoskie said she didn’t have a personal experience that prompted her to make the donation, but the value of the airport was something she felt compelled to support. The Kin Club of Pembroke is accepting online donations for the airport’s campaign.
The campaign is simple: individuals can purchase or sponsor a foot of runway for $250. Once 5,000 feet are sold, the airport will have $1.25 million to repave the runway. Prior to the official launch, the airport sold 20 feet to individuals who were just hearing about the campaign and were eager to show their support.
Jennifer Layman, marketing co-ordinator for the Airport, noted that while many people think their connection to an airport is when they want to get on a plane and travel somewhere, the connection to the Pembroke & Area Airport is largely unnoticed. Ms. Layman referenced the Ministry of Natural Resources who literally slept in the pilot’s lounge last summer while patrolling Renfrew County’s forests in the drought situation. Several times they spotted fires and informed the land fire departments and those fires were extinguished without the public even knowing they had been burning.
“Most people don’t feel that they interact much with the airport because they can’t come here and fly somewhere,” she said. “But at this airport, the experience that most people have is one they never know about.”
The airport is embarking on a public outreach campaign and speaking to as many organizations as possible and welcomes any opportunity to address a club. In addition, individuals wishing to purchase a foot of runway can contact Ms. Layman at: [email protected] or 613-732-7774.
