Airport development plan provokes lively debate
Derek Neary
Northern News Services
Fort Simpson (Mar 02/01) - A line has been drawn between those in favour of merging all aviation services in Fort Simpson and those opposed to a single airport.
That contentious issue was tackled during a public consultation session in Fort Simpson on Tuesday morning.
The GNWT has contracted the Yellowknife engineering and architectural firm of Ferguson, Simek, Clark and Ottawa-based LPS Aviation to assist with a 20-year development plan for the Department of Transportation (DoT) airport.
Currently, Fort Simpson has two options for air traffic -- an out-of-town, GNWT-operated airport and an in-town, privately-operated airport.
At the meeting, it became apparent that one of the major issues is the diversion of air traffic to the in-town strip.
Kevin Hodgins of Ferguson, Simek, Clark, said most communities the size of Simpson only have a single airport.
Derek Mould, manager of the DoT airport, added that larger communities such as Hay River, Fort Smith, Inuvik and Yellowknife have only one airport.
Ted Lennox, of LPS Aviation, said consultants can not justify urging the government to invest more money in upgrading the existing airport if the number of passengers -- which has hovered between 7,000 - 8,000 at the DoT airport over the past 20 years -- does not increase.
The in-town strip is used primarily by local charter companies and one Yellowknife-based carrier.
"The small airport damages the economic viability of the big airport... If you get enough critical mass together you can get your level of service up," he said, also referring to the five helicopter landing pads in town.
"Is it possible for us to come up with a solution that would see everybody in one place?"
Kevin Allen, who holds the refuelling contract at the DoT airport, suggested that the two issues should remain separate.
"They (the consultants) are using the town airstrip against us, they're saying, 'As long as the town airstrip exists, (the government) is not giving you any money,'" Allen said.
Ted Grant, an aviator and businessman who is one lessee of the in-town strip, said the GNWT should spend the money necessary to upgrade the main airport and leave the in-town runway alone.
"If anybody tries to force me out of there, see you in court," Grant warned, adding that a second runway improves the level of safety, especially when the weather is so unpredictable in the immediate Fort Simpson area.
Lennox asked whether making assistance available to private operators to help them relocate at the DoT airport would make the move more palatable.
"Whatever the development plan is, we don't want anybody to be hurt by it or inconvenienced by it," he said. He also questioned whether a local airport authority or a municipal take-over of the airport would be of interest. There was no response.
It was acknowledged that oil and gas exploration and development and mining is a wild card in this matter.
Grant predicted that the lands will open up for development as politics continues to be resolved.
"This place is going to boom just like it did in the 60s and 70s," he said.
In the meantime, Mould said asphalt on the DoT runway needs repairs, but with the present low volume of traffic it would be best to return it to a gravel runway.
Resident Peter Shaw responded, "Don't turn back the clock."
Marvin Zaozirny, with the GNWT's airports division, closed the meeting by reassuring those in the room that the GNWT is not looking to reduce the level of service in Fort Simpson.
The first draft of the development plan is to be presented to stakeholders on April 25.
The final report is to be completed by early June.
