PETAWAWA — It’s full steam ahead for the Pembroke & Area Airport, or at least it should be, according to a report from WSP Group on the value and potential of the facility. The report was presented February 1 at the airport. Joe MacKay, Senior Project Director – Aviation for WSP, explained their findings on a direction from the Pembroke & Area Airport Commission to delve into the value of the facility, and whether it was worth further investment by the owners. For 40 minutes, the presentation continued to point out benefit after benefit of the airport, and concluded with business development opportunities for the future.
“This is a great asset you have here,” said Mr. MacKay, adding, “and, it has a regional benefit too.”
Mr. MacKay immediately pointed out the relationship with Garrison Petawawa, Canada’s largest military base and a strong supporter of the airport. While Garrison Petawawa is the airport’s largest user, accounting for one-quarter of the movements there, Mr. MacKay saw that relationship as one that illustrated the overall role the airport plays in the community.
“The Garrison Petawawa contribution is quite significant in Renfrew County,” he said. “The military presence here is crucial to communities. The airport has a nice relationship in that it supports Garrison Petawawa’s activities, and Garrison Petawawa supports communities.”
Garrison Petawawa’s contribution was nearly 25 per cent of the revenues for the airport already, and a new agreement that is on the way allows for a user fee increase with a cost of living automatic increase annually. Adam Martin, Senior Airport Planner, who accompanied Mr. MacKay in the presentation, also weighed in on the military connection.
“You have a major user here with the Canadian Forces,” said Mr. Martin. “I can list 50 airports that would love to have them in their community.”
Another example of the airport supporting communities was referenced with being able to accommodate Ornge, the air ambulance provider for Ontario. Mr. MacKay noted that the airport provides an alternate landing for Ornge — something they need to have before embarking on a flight, and noted it was “important to rural hospitals.”
On the issue of fiscal management, WSP noted that Pembroke is operating at about one-quarter the funding that comparable airports receive. Mr. MacKay referenced the per capita contribution was $1.34 for Pembroke, and the closest he could find of a relatively comparable airport was $6.54 per capita. He noted in his municipality of Kitchener-Waterloo, the per capita contribution was round $10.
“The runway is like a mile of road,” he said. “Roads don’t generate income, but they are necessary for others to succeed. People don’t question the utility of the road because they see it every day. But they don’t see the airport every day.”
Mr. Martin, a former Executive Director of the Airport Management Council of Ontario, addressed the airport’s decision to invest its 1995 payout from Transport Canada when the federal government divested itself of all small airports.
The Pembroke & Area Airport Commission invested that $400,000 payout and has used it as a borrowing arm to purchase the former Pem-Air hangar and most recently the solar project. That investment is still in tact.
“I don’t know of any airport that still has that Transport Canada payout,” said Mr. Martin. “You have been able to do incredibly well with funding far below comparable airports.”
WSP also addressed how the Commission is structured and how it makes decisions, and noted a particular improvement that needed to be made.
“The current Commission has difficulty coming to agreement on the future of the airport because some members struggle to understand the value of the facility,” said Mr. MacKay. “It is important to ensure everyone is an advocate for the airport.”
The differing opinions on the airport’s value were also listed as a weakness for the airport, something they hoped would be turned around from the findings of their report.
Finally, WSP applauded the launch of Project Runway, the fundraising campaign to repave the runway at the airport and noted it had raised $116,000 to date. They felt continued public outreach was important to spread the word about the airport’s value, and that events like the Canada 150 Fly-In should be annual to keep bringing the community out to the airport.
In wrapping up, Mr. MacKay touched on the economic impact of the airport which was reported in 2015 as being $920,000. He and Mr. Martin both felt that number was “substantially higher” now and suggested a new study to determine how much more that impact would be, though Mr. Martin initially felt it was “in the millions.”
Laurentian Valley mayor Steve Bennett thanked WSP for its report and agreed the Commission needs to be committed to moving the facility forward.
“We have to be all in and move as a united front with everyone on board in a positive way,” Mayor Bennet said. “The economic impact is huge here.”
Interesting Facts (2016)
• $1.34: The amount each municipality contributes per taxpayer to the airport
• $44,000: The annual fee Garrison Petawawa contributes as the airport’s largest user
• 60: The number of Ornge movements at the airport which was split equally between fixed wing (airplane) and rotary wing (helicopter)
• 128: The number of movements at the airport of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
• 100: Number of local businesses that use or have suppliers/owners who use the airport
• 187,475: Litre of fuel sold
• 104: Number of times staff came in to refuel aircraft after regular business hours.
