From the skies to space: Report on relaunching Sarnia's airport
The first steps to revitalize the commercially idled Chris Hadfield airport in Sarnia have been passed by city council.
A report by the Sarnia Airport Action Group (SAAG) was accepted Monday.
It calls for interim steps to immediately attract commercial flights, which Air Canada abandoned - permanently - in 2020.
A longer-term plan would see more flights and the creation of an air & space centre. It would also be in the name of Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, a native of the city.
All stages involve financial support from Sarnia and the County of Lambton, but just how much money will be needed was not discussed.
However, if investments are made, the action group contends the airport could generate nearly half-a-million dollars a year.
Sarnia Councillor Margaret Bird believes it is a gamble the city must take to attract large industries, “Most corporations, the first thing they ask is, ‘Where can I park the corporate jet?'"
But Bird says Sarnia can no longer take on the airport alone, “It requires everybody to be on board. It requires tourism. It requires the chamber. It requires everybody out there to really promote this and promote it well.”
If the final phase is put in place, the airport would be operated by a municipal services company with a CEO and Board of Directors.
The SAAG predicts phase three would increase passenger volumes to as high as 30,000 per year.
In addition, Tom Strifler, a SAAG member, predicts spinoff jobs and a $20-million injection into the local economy.
“So you can see significant GDP impact for the region, as well as broad employment impacts for the region. So you get to a position where you can cover all your operating and capital expenses and create a cash surplus approaching a half-million dollars a year.”
Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley, who also sits on a provincial airport committee, says his city’s airport and others must develop a strategy to get citizens to value flying.
He says London’s airport is an example of a promotional effort that brought about expansion and public support.
Still, some Sarnia councillors wonder if it would work there.
Councillor David Boushy says he’s not sure if Sarnia residents, now used to commuting to London and Toronto by car, will ever opt for the runway again.
“They use to travel quite a bit in the airplane. I don’t think they do now.”
The next step in the plan is to gain county support and get at least one commercial airline to land there again.
A city administrator hinted the latter discussion was underway during the council session.
Recently Sarnia’s airport received $1.9 million in federal funding for ‘critical upgrades’ including a new hangar.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6941344.1719400735!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
She's still busy at 105. What secrets and science are behind Canada's 'super agers'?
There is ongoing research to better understand the relationship between social connection and healthy aging, and why the brains of super agers look different compared with their peers.
Travellers watch as WestJet cancels flights with no end to mechanics strike in sight
Travellers flying with WestJet continue to watch as the airline cancels more flights due to a sudden strike by its mechanics union.
Thousands gather in downtown Toronto for one of Canada's largest Pride parades
One of the country's largest Pride events will culminate Sunday with a massive celebration.
Is it cheaper to take time off work or send kids to summer camp?
It's a conundrum parents are faced with every summer: What should their children do during their break?
Faulty brakes, airbag systems: Here are the cars recalled in Canada
Transport Canada recalled various vehicles over the last week, including Kia, Toyota, Volkswagen and Porsche cars.
'Lab-grown' meat maker hosts Miami tasting party as Florida ban goes into effect
As Florida's ban on "lab-grown" meat is set to go into effect next week, one manufacturer hosted a last hurrah — at least for now — with a cultivated meat-tasting party in Miami.
Time crunch, rules mess could plague a Liberal leadership race
Calls have intensified for Justin Trudeau to resign as head of the party he almost single-handedly pulled back from the brink after a decimating electoral defeat in 2011.
Centuries of stories, from some of Canada's centenarians
The Canadian Press has spent the past month interviewing some of Canada's more than 11,000 centenarians and their families. These are some of their stories.
How will Louisiana's new Ten Commandments classroom requirement be funded and enforced?
Even as a legal challenge is already underway over a new Louisiana law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in classrooms, the details of how the mandate will be implemented and enforced remain murky.