Sechelt Airport could become the first privately-owned airport in Canada if a $100 million development plan of a local businessman becomes a reality.
Don Greer, president of Yrainucep Development Corp., and vice-president Mebs Tejpar hosted an information meeting last Sunday (Jan. 15) in Sechelt outlining the ambitious project for members of Sechelt council and invited guests.
Greer said privately-owned airports in the United States are not unusual. There are 3,000 U.S. fly-in communities such as the one proposed by Greer's company.
"The first one in Canada could be here. Other communities are already expressing interest. Make this a showcase," Greer urged.
The project, which is centred on the airport, calls for $36 million to be invested in a new 7,200 ft. runway, terminal, hangars and other infrastructure. DMG (Design Management Group) International is the company Yrainucep chose to build the proposed new airport. Reg Hedges, president of DMG, and Terry Parsons, manager of business development, were on hand Sunday to explain their involvement and give some background on their company's credentials. DMG is a civil engineering firm that specializes in airports. The company is an expert in runway design and building as well as terminals and all other aspects of airport construction. Based on the East Coast of Canada, the firm has been international since 1999. It's been responsible for successful projects in Cuba, the Bahamas, Chile, Washington, D.C. and Sri Lanka. Parsons is a retired Transport Canada engineer with extensive experience in the field. He is the recent past chair of Gander International Airport. Parsons left the position in November 2004 because he had served the maximum (under Canadian law) eight years as chair. During the time he was chair, the airport went from losing money to a facility that today collects over $1.5 million in rent per year. "This is a very exciting project. There is a tremendous amount of money in airport structure. [It would be] a tremendous asset to the community," Parsons said.
Greer said the airport would be geared to private corporate jets and the destination market. The latter would be drawn to the area by a new resort hotel and convention centre. Also in the plans are high-end homes where jet/plane owners would be able to park their aircrafts in the hangar/garages at the side of the homes.
Parsons also said DMG would enter into an arrangement to operate the airport after its completion.
Yrainucep would include a new water treatment plant that could service Davis Bay from Havies Road and all of Wilson Creek. Extensive recreational facilities that would be available to the greater community are also part of the proposed development.
While Mayor Cam Reid and councillors Mike Shanks and Barry Poole, who attended the meeting, are interested in the plan, they cautioned the people present on Sunday that due process has to be followed in the community.
Reid said the first item to be dealt with would be a request for proposals for development at the airport. If no further proposals were forthcoming, one (or several) in camera meetings would take place to deal with Yrainucep's plan. The in camera meetings are necessitated because the proposal deals with land-use issues. After those meetings the public would be consulted through advertised meetings.
Although informal meetings have been ongoing between Yrainucep and Sechelt council for the past year and a half, it's only since the civic election that the development company has gone public with its plan.
Right now the airport is home to about 40 aircraft. Robin MacGregor, owner of Goldwing Helicopters Ltd., is currently the largest tenant at the Sechelt airport. He is anxious for the project to go ahead. MacGregor sees the project as nothing but positive for the community. And while he's not sure he wants to expand his specialty helicopter business (some of his clients are Vancouver Film Studios and construction and emergency work for BC Hydro), in at least one aspect it would be good news for him.
Right now, because the airport is uncertified, no commercial aviation is allowed after dark. Because of the isolation factor on the Sunshine Coast this poses a problem for anyone needing air service at night. As B.C. Ferries doesn't run late at night and water taxis are limited by sea conditions, anyone who needs to leave the Coast to catch connecting flights or to accompany a family member being taken by air ambulance is generally out of luck. MacGregor is also excited about the amount of money Yrainucep is planning to spend on infrastructure and tourism.
"There's nothing but benefit to anyone in the community," MacGregor said.
