Project: Parkland Airport - West of Edmonton

[Aunty Aerodrome]

EDITED - You have been warned, read the forum guidelines and posting etiquette before resuming. This is a first and final warning.

To Hipster: I am truly sorry that the City of Edmonton treated you so badly, I felt for all of those being displaced as I watched it unfold in the media. This being said, you posted "I will extend as much consideration to the people of Parkland County and the people of Edmonton extended to us." While I realize that the City of Edmonton treated you badly, the County of Parkland had no hand in it, nor had any control over it. I'm not sure we deserve to be the focus of your anger when it is not us that mistreated you.

Tom:
I respect your effort to communicate your thoughts in a mature manner. Can you please explain to me why when the government is sinking millions of dollars into the Acheson airport, the Edmonton Flying Club is not relocating to that location as opposed to building a new one? Have all other avenues been exhausted? With other private airports surrounding the Edmonton area, I'm having difficulty understanding this. The only explanation I can come up with is that the PADC wants to make an investment to make money - it has very little to do with concern for those displaced by the City of Edmonton and more to do with an opportunity to make money. Additionally Tom, I would like to point out that the individual who sold their land to the PADC was unaware that they were selling to an airport (it was a blind sale). While I am fully aware that this is leagl, it does not change the fact that this was not an informed choice on the part of the seller. No one can say for sure if the sale would have gone through or not had the purchasers been known, and no one can say that the PADC will not use similar tactics to purchase further land in the future. This being said, while the runway is initially proposed for 2600 feet, there is no guarantee that this development will remain reserved for "light planes". So, should they acquire further land and extend the development, what do the residents do with 737s flying low over their farms to make landings on a runway so close to their properties? Also, you are correct. Not ALL residents have had their land in their families for 100 years, but many of them have.

One more thing. many farmers in the area are also businessmen. They support their families (at least in part) off their land. These farmers and their families are not hobbiests either. (And when I referred to me not needing yet another expensive hobby, I was simply making a reference to my own life; that I have no need for a plane for a business. My comment was not intended to diminish the needs of others to make a living.)

[Beefitarian]

If I hated airports I would consider moving to Edmonton. There won't be any near there soon.

[Shiny Side Up]

People hate old airports and protest new airports. Nothing new in the world. I like the comments about "just wanting to live their lives out in peace". Word up: You don't get to just live in your own little world anymore. Time to become a citizen of your town, your county, your province, your country. If you don't like the idea of something new into your back yard, then you need to get out there and support the ones that already exist. This holds true for a lot of things. They aren't just going to go away. Don't want them to construct a new airport? Make sure you voice your support of them maintaining the old one. Insert racetrack/stadium/prison/water treatment plant/landfill site/hockey arena/sports field/rodeo ground/waste transfer site/etc.

Stuff don't happen in this world that doesn't affect you. Be informed.

[rac007]

Can you please explain to me why when the government is sinking millions of dollars into the Acheson airport, the Edmonton Flying Club is not relocating to that location as opposed to building a new one? ...... what do the residents do with 737s flying low over their farms to make landings on a runway so close to their properties?

What airport are you referring to? Villeneuve? There is no Acheson airport.

As stated before, go get some real world knowledge and experience in aviation and then come back to the debate. There will not be 737s landing at parkland unless they are on approach at the international with low fuel and the runways are closed down. Parkland will not have wide-body jets landing every 5 minutes like in Calgary.

[Tom H]

Aunty

Can you please explain to me why when the government is sinking millions of dollars into the Acheson airport, the Edmonton Flying Club is not relocating to that location as opposed to building a new one?

The dollars the Province is putting into Villeneuve is solely to provide an alternate airport for medevac (air ambulance flight).

A combination of regulations and real world needs requires an alternate runway be available should the International airport be weathered in or for some other reason be shut down.

With City Centre Airport closing the next qualified alternate was Calgary, for air ambulance this was completely unacceptable as the time added diverting to Calgary if Edmonton International was closed would create medical disasters.

Short answer, Edmonton decided to close Edmonton City Centre Airport, the Province had to spend the money to keep air ambulance safe as there was no choice.

Have all other avenues been exhausted? With other private airports surrounding the Edmonton area, I'm having difficulty understanding this.

For people to invest several million dollars (even in a 2600' airport) I would have to say yes.
Plus the fact few sites are realistically suited to be used due to geography reasons.

That is the only reason for the Provincial dollars invested in Villeneuve, relocating business had nothing to do with it...only air ambulance.

With other private airports surrounding the Edmonton area, I'm having difficulty understanding this.

Here is where your lack of knowledge and research hurts your cause.

Other airports in the region
1) Cooking Lake...almost developed out, there is simply not the facilities to handle those that need a site at this time, has the same water and sewer issues as Parkland.

2) Josephburg....in spite of having room I am told by many that they cannot purchase or lease sites at the airport. Then there are other issues but if you can't get land the rest are kinda secondary.

3) Villeneuve...if you have read this thread, and others on the forum, there are serious issues at this time as well as many not feeling they can deal with Edmonton Airports.

That's it in the Edmonton region...no place to go, hence the Parkland development.

The only explanation I can come up with is that the PADC wants to make an investment to make money - it has very little to do with concern for those displaced by the City of Edmonton and more to do with an opportunity to make money.

Well I hope so, if an airport cannot pay back the investment and turn a profit...why do it? The closing of Edmonton City Centre and other issues has created a business opportunity in the eyes of those investing. If there was no return, in any business, why would you do it?

Additionally Tom, I would like to point out that the individual who sold their land to the PADC was unaware that they were selling to an airport (it was a blind sale). While I am fully aware that this is leagl, it does not change the fact that this was not an informed choice on the part of the seller. No one can say for sure if the sale would have gone through or not had the purchasers been known,

Sorry, the seller made a fully informed choice...they wanted the money the rest was not important or they could have said no, or required disclosure or placed conditions on the sale or any number of other legal options plain and simple.

and no one can say that the PADC will not use similar tactics to purchase further land in the future.

Hold on, don't make the purchaser the bad guy. If your neighbors are as serious as LisaResident claims my comments above fully apply. They have full right on any sale to add the condition that the lands not be used as an airport or anything else and/or demand disclosure or not sell.

If they take the money and run then it's an issue between you and your neighbors...not the purchaser. Airport or otherwise.

These farmers and their families are not hobbiests either.

Never said the farmers were, at the same time there are a number of recreational acreages in the area.

And to get the number of people opposed at your meeting, legitimately, you have to be assuming a much larger affected area than is real. Which is why I suggested doing some research.

So, should they acquire further land and extend the development, what do the residents do with 737s flying low over their farms to make landings on a runway so close to their properties?

First off lets get one thing straight, 737s cannot operate commercially on 5000' on a regular basis. After the 200 series (few left) most can't even come in on 5000' for service without some serious permissions...so lets get that off the plate and be serious. This is an example of going overboard...check it out before hand.

The market will determine and I don't see it happening for all the reasons I stated, second it's an issue between you and your neighbors beyond that That is the way it works or you could be blocked from selling your land for what you felt was fair.

One more thing. many farmers in the area are also businessmen. They support their families (at least in part) off their land. These farmers and their families are not hobbiests either.

Never said they were, I come form a farming family and take it seriously. But I also take seriously that aviation in the region has taken a hard hit and it appears the geography in your areas is one of the few in the region that can work, is in the right proximity to be economically viable and was available.

But bear this in mind, your neighbors that sold could have just as easily sold it to be a high density sub divsion with thousands of people and cars and all that comes with...would that be better?

Or a race track, ATV track, Motorcycle track or an amusement park running late every night with huge lights or any number of things much with much more impact and drawbacks.

There are far worse things than an airport.

BTW...Farmers make a high use of aviation, crop and other dusting services. And not far west of you a number of farms and acreages were saved by aerial fire suppression

I think looking at both sides of the situation is a wise plan.

In my highly biased personal opinion

[Prodriver]

I am very excited about the possibility of Edmonton getting a new executive style airport west of the city. It is badly needed as a business tool and for capacity reasons once the XD closes. The other day at YEG I was # 4 to land and #5 to depart, but that is okay as they will get there numbers to get a third runway!

Anyway it is a great spot and once the whitemud comes out to Hwy 60 or goes out to Spruce it will be a great fit, also it is 10-12 minutes from the Henday, not to mention minutes from Acheson, spruce and the west end businesses. Probably only a 15-18 minute drive from Nisku as well.

The Vill is simply to far out from Nisku and the south side to work and like someone said they are not worried about business or GA aviation, just the legal requirement for the medevac's. That is very apparent in EIA's land lease rates, lack of smaller parcels for business A/C, or for accommodation of small operators at YEG, inability to purchase reasonable priced land to build a hanger, no good general GA area besides the large FBO etc.

It is sad that most Canadians only see aviation working for Air Canada and WestJet, but the reality that most training, pilots, mechanics, etc are employed and developed in the smaller sectors of Canadian aviation. Like it or not Business aviation is a serious tool that one can not simply throw away, it is needed and if that runway goes out to 5300 ft it will amazing to watch it grow again in the Edmonton area!

I think that is a great spot and as the city moves out and the new business park on hwy 60 opens up this is going to be a great asset for the area.

[Hipster Exterminator]

[/color]
To Hipster: I am truly sorry that the City of Edmonton treated you so badly, I felt for all of those being displaced as I watched it unfold in the media. This being said, you posted "I will extend as much consideration to the people of Parkland County and the people of Edmonton extended to us." While I realize that the City of Edmonton treated you badly, the County of Parkland had no hand in it, nor had any control over it. I'm not sure we deserve to be the focus of your anger when it is not us that mistreated you.

This is very, very simple. From the time that Edmonton decided that Vancouver's Downtown East Side was something it really wanted to emulate and that the City Centre airport was the place to do it the unflappable position of the City of Edmonton and the ERAA was "We have the legal right to do this, Go to YEG or go @#$! yourselves, your choice!"

What is so special about the Parkland acreage owners that they are entitled to anything more than the "We have the legal right to do this, @#$! off." that the users of YXD received?

I don't think this is a great situation, but if this is just where we're at as a civilization. You have to be willing to double-bird it just to survive, and that is what the Parkland Airport is all about, survival. Take your quarrel to the City of Edmonton, they started toppling dominos on this file a very long time ago.

[Hipster Exterminator]

But with what I do I have to deal with many of these people a lot or I simply cannot get things done and I sense a change coming.

Many of these young un's do get it in most ways when you get to talking with them, but to move up they "follow orders" to keep getting ahead and pay the bills.

<<SNIP>>

If you were the ops guys or CFO at EIA would you want light to mid GA plugging up the time slots for comparative pennies or Q 400s and domestic regional jets that pay off big bucks in the time slots?

With the WestJet Turbor prop fleet looking like it's gonna open up communities that have been off the grid/under serviced and Air Canada threatening similar on regional service "I think" that is what the choice they will be facing is going to be.

If it was me I would be developing the heck out of Vill to keep the serious bucks at YEG to cover the BIG bills that came with the expansion.

Plus a new CEO typically means "New Direction" as they want to be different and better than the predecessor.

You could be right that I am trying hard to be optimistic, but I am trying to be glass 1/2 full as everything else I am dealing with is not good.

In my highly biased personal opinion

I really hope you're right, and I certainly can't claim to have attempted a cordial free-ranging conversation with these folks in recent years, but unfortunately everything I have heard of the young ones is a combination of a belief that YEG's status relative to YYC is the product of a failure in communication with the world's airlines and they really need to double-down on harassing Singapore Airlines and a fear that YEG is going to lose out on Edmonton's traditional niche as YMM, YQU, YXJ and elsewhere come to be served from ordinary hubs. I don't think those fixations are going to serve Villeneuve very well. To say nothing of Edmonton itself that will think nothing of wielding their Capital Region Board veto if they sense another airport fight looming.

I don't disagree with anything you have said, but I don't think we're dealing with an organization that is terribly rational or a regional political climate that lends itself to much dispassionate reasoning. Just look at how you're being treated, I believe 100% that the treatment of the museum in all this is purely a personal reprisal for the beliefs held by individuals such as yourself.

Although i'm reminded of a crack from a friend of mine at WestJet back when Encore was soon to be announced. "When (WS Regional) is fully built out, Edmonton is going to think they closed the wrong airport."

Unfortunately my multiple advanced degrees from the Edmonton school of blunt force traumas has beaten all the optimism out of me.

[Tom H]

Hipster Exterminator

I really hope you're right,

Me too, but my thoughts are based on logical premise and good business practice.
In short it makes sense and makes money.

I certainly can't claim to have attempted a cordial free-ranging conversation with these folks in recent years

Again to make things work here I have had to and have been pleasantly surprised at the length ops and department people have gone to making events work. There are some really great people out there.

The problem, as I have seen it, is the directions mandated...now that should be changing and the young crowd is going to get a chance...I think we are going to see a shift.

Just look at how you're being treated, I believe 100% that the treatment of the museum in all this is purely a personal reprisal for the beliefs held by individuals such as yourself.

I agree, the cost of the stands both our facility and I have taken have come at a very high price.

But we have an important mission and with the airport closure it becomes even more important.

We are about to become not only the only door to Edmonton's fantastic aviation history but also the only door to aviation in Edmonton!

We are the only place in Edmonton where people (of all ages) will be able to come and learn about the Hero's, villains, bastards and businessmen, the pioneers and combat pilots, the Romance/Adventure and excitement of Edmonton's aviation history.

For young people (of all ages)...we will also be the only door in Edmonton to today's aviation and opportunities. If we fail or have to move how will kids ever find out? Ever learn there is more than airliners? Ever get a peak at the world of aviation.

I think that might also help people understand why we had to be more restrained and controlled as an organization during the debates...we have to keep that door open even after closure of the airport.

We have to keep telling the stories and opening that door.

Unfortunately my multiple advanced degrees from the Edmonton school of blunt force traumas has beaten all the optimism out of me.

I think we have the same degrees! (lol) But as I said above, we have to succeed and keep doing what we are doing.

To be honest there are many meetings with the City of Edmonton and others where I've walked out and literally spit blood on the road from biting the inside of my mouth to keep from saying what I desperately wanted to say. But I couldn't because it would make the problem larger.

Hope that gets some of my thoughts across and generates a little understanding of where both the Museum and I have been coming from.

In my highly biased personal opinion
Tom

[LisaResident]

Tom H
You state you like living by an airport. You are in a small minority.

Stop work order issued by Parkland County.
http://www.parklandcounty.com/About_Us/ ... 1_p966.htm


Half way down the page "No Airport In Parkland"
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/opinion/ ... story.html

Buy a place near Villeneuve. You should be happy there.

[Beefitarian]

I can only imagine the over reaction if someone wanted a horse or something in that area.

Oh no you don't! It would poop all over the place.

[Tom H]

Tom H
You state you like living by an airport. You are in a small minority.

Stop work order issued by Parkland County.
http://www.parklandcounty.com/About_Us/ ... 1_p966.htm


Half way down the page "No Airport In Parkland"
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/opinion/ ... story.html

Buy a place near Villeneuve. You should be happy there.

Now LisaResident

I have been trying to be reasonable through this discussion so it really irritates when you post as per the quote above.

So lets start off with this again.

I do not own an aircraft, possibly never will.
I have no vested interest in the success or failure of the Parkland Airport project.
I am not lobbying for or against. The market will decide that.

The only reason I am responding at all is because I find the attitude expressed in your post offensive.

Now
1) If the Parkland Group does not have all their paperwork in order quite frankly they should be shut down. The same rules apply to everyone and if rules allow them to do it fine. But if they are not following them great shut them down.

Same rules apply to everyone.

2) IF...you had bothered to read anything I have posted you would see that the letter writer and I are basically saying the same thing....mind you that would require you to read and respond in a respectful fashion.

3) We are currently looking at Villeneuve thank you.

That said I have a friend right near the proposed airport with land and we've been talking about getting back into our old hobby...dirt track race cars. He's got the room and as it would be just for us there appears to be no permitting or issues to resolve to make a place to play.

Then we can invite some of our friends, only about a dozen in total, over and have fun with the race cars. Get my dirt bike out, they've got quads and ATVs. Seeing as there would be no spectators allowed and we're just having fun there just aren't a lot of hoops to jump through.

I beginning to think its a darn good idea.

It'll make having an airport next door look awfully appealing.

(edit-added after)
The point being LisaResident...
There are things much worse waiting to move in beside you.

The picture you are painting with your comments has likely done more to harm your property values than the airport would.

See....the internet never goes away which is why I always work to be respectful and reasonable as it could come back to bite you later.

Based on the comments made by you here, what happened at the meeting and other antics I've seen I would never consider living in your area even if the airport went ahead.

The picture painted of your community is not a positive one in my opinion. How unfortunate when the same resistance could have been put forward so much more reasonably.

In my highly biased personal opinion

[MrWings]

Snowballs chance.

[LisaResident]

Tom H

Nothing I wrote was disrespectful. It's all in the way you preceive it. Obviously you have your back up. I have read every word written here as I have an extreme personal interest in the topic.

Anyway, let me know where you and your friends are planning on going quading, go-karting & atv riding. I have a bunch myself...maybe I'll come join you.

[Tom H]

LisaResident

It's all in the way you preceive it. Obviously you have your back up.

Sorry, perception comes from the way information is presented and that, on an internet forum, is from the writers end. No my back is not up at all...the outcome makes no difference to me. I just take offense to the tatics.

You see I have been part of opposing a number of developments in my current neighborhood and always avoided being anything that could be looked at as a negative approach...in every case we have seen success with no damage or hard feelings in my/our wake.

Something you may wish to consider as you go forward.

Anyway, let me know where you and your friends are planning on going quading, go-karting & atv riding. I have a bunch myself...maybe I'll come join you.

We just may...

But, as long as we are talking about perception, it says a lot when that kind of noise and pollution (small 2 cycle dirt bike and ATV engines pollute much more than a light aircraft and make more noise) is ok...but aviation is not.

Interesting very interesting

And once again, not helping your cause.

In my highly biased personal opinion

[Prodriver]

Maybe someone will put a restaurant in the FBO building and the locals can have somewhere to go for lunch?

[JerryRig]

Maybe someone will put restaurant tin the FBO building and the locals can have somewhere to go for lunch?

LIKE!

[fuelguy]

Hello all.

I visited the new Parkland airport site.

A couple of points.

Is it really any closer to Edmonton? To mean, it seems pretty darn the same distance as to Villeneuve.

Previous comments about Villeneuve talk about no water or sewer. WRONG! There is water and sewer, albeit the water is supplied by a large cistern/pump station, and is trucked in. The water, even though it comes from Edmonton and is delivered as potable, is not tested therefore is not recommended for drinking. Liability reasons, and up until recently, there wasn't much demand for drinking water. There are fire hydrants at the airport, and most hangars are hooked up and have running water and sewer connections. The sewer, like many small communities, goes to a lagoon.
Having said all that, EIA is well aware of the issue, and are actively working towards a reasonable cost solution.
There is tremendous growth happening at the airport right now, including the completion of the extended runway, the taxiway, lighting, ILS. AWOS etc. In the last six months, 4 new hangars have been built. Probably close to 100,000 sq feet in total. AND, several more are starting. Close to another 100,000 sq ft. The infield hangars will not at this time have water or sewer hookup, the existing services are about maxed out, and until they get upgraded (and they will) they have the option of small cisterns and holding tanks. No different than many small industrial parks, such as Winterburn.
There is talk that the museum will move to Villeneuve. That makes a lot of sense, and it should help provide more stimulus for improved services. There used to be a café/restaurant at Villeneuve, but there wasn't enough business to keep it viable.
This should change very soon.
Villeneuve has 2 excellent runways, with one (08-26) a precision ILS (soon), with 5000 feet, and 16-34 with an excellent GPS approach and 3500 feet.
There are several turboprops operating from Villeneuve, King Airs (2) Cheyenne (1) Caravan (1), and JETS!! Citations (2) Eclipse 500 (1) and a Falcon 50 !!!
There are several suppliers of Jet fuel and avgas.
There is a manned control tower, with radar, and soon 24 hour runway maintenance, for snow and runway condition reports. A 24 hr AWOS will provide winds, and altimeter settings, as well as ARCAL lighting.
There are several AME's on the field, with a couple of AMO's. Customs will be moving from City Centre to Villeneuve!

I wish the Parkland folks a lot of luck. However, they apparently have alienated most local government folks, and many of the local residents. As mentioned, I viewed the site Friday. There is NOTHING there. Just a field with three excavating "buggies" moving dirt, and a lot of junk equipment scattered about. There is no water or sewer service anywhere nearby, and no evidence of any hangar/building. Sandhills Rd, is weight-restricted low grade asphalt, with just a regular driveway access to the site. I'm not sure Alberta Transportation will be too helpful in allowing it to be upgraded, especially after they are just about finished the intersection at SH633 and Hwy 44 for Villeneuve.
Also, I wonder if they will even be able to get asphalt delivered and laid before snow flies.
I'm no engineer, but if they don't compact with a proper base. the asphalt will be nothing more than a "paint job"
A day/vfr airstrip, with no services, that will be not much good during north or south winds. Snow removal can get expensive during some winters.
I give them credit, they sure have guts.

[Beefitarian]

Before the recent panic, it looked like the intent with Parkland was to make a new, smaller and less busy place than Villeneuve. That way they also could avoid sending everyone leaving City Center there.

Wasn't Parkland supposed to be a place for some repair shops, the flying club, maybe small charter outfits. and private recreational planes, especially those wishing to avoid having to go to the soon to be busier big airports.

Though even if Parkland gets built, some, maybe most of the displaced businesses and planes not wishing to go to the international will certainly go to Villeneuve. No?

How close is Villeneuve to capacity with regards to water and sewer? I suspect it will need to be improved or expanded anyway.

[Tom H]

Fuelguy

Previous comments about Villeneuve talk about no water or sewer. WRONG! There is water and sewer, albeit the water is supplied by a large cistern/pump station, and is trucked in. The water, even though it comes from Edmonton and is delivered as potable, is not tested therefore is not recommended for drinking. Liability reasons, and up until recently, there wasn't much demand for drinking water. There are fire hydrants at the airport, and most hangars are hooked up and have running water and sewer connections. The sewer, like many small communities, goes to a lagoon.

Actually

The point of the conversation was that Parkland will be needing to do the same things as Villeneuve.

There is no "City" type water or sewer systems.

Yes, Villeneuve has a cistern, of limited capacity. It's one of the things holding Villeneuve back and why the CRB decision not the let the residential development West of Vill go ahead was such a problem.

About 15 million to get City water to the site so it can grow out.

Lagoon as well has capacity issues similar to the water and the solution is similar in cost and was blocked by the same CRB decision that would have made both water and sewer economical for the airport.

It is going to take political will, EIA, Sturgeon County, St. Albert and the CRB to give this airport what it needs to try to fill some what fill the boots of YXD.

I think you will see EIA step up and the county, Edmonton with its veto on the CRB is going to be the continuing problem.

In my highly biased personal opinion

[Tom H]

Before the recent panic, it looked like the intent with Parkland was to make a new, smaller and less busy place than Villeneuve. That way they also could avoid sending everyone leaving City Center there.

That is the likely outcome long term. Which is not a bad thing.

Wasn't Parkland supposed to be a place for some repair shops, the flying club, maybe small charter outfits. and private recreational planes, especially those wishing to avoid having to go to the soon to be busier big airports.

I beleive their intent is to be somewhat more than that, but the market will determine.

Though even if Parkland gets built, some, maybe most of the displaced businesses and planes not wishing to go to the international will certainly go to Villeneuve. No?

Some will go to Villeneuve, new out of area business wishing to establish now will likely go to Villeneuve as it has better aviation infrastructure right now.

But not being here through the "whole" process I don't think (correct me if I am wrong) you've got a handle on how nasty things got (not pointing any fingers) and how hurt many people and businesses are. It has been bad.

Now I am sure some fence mending is going on and some will be successful, but there is a pretty substantial number that will never get involved with Edmonton Airports or anything the City of Edmonton is perceived to have a possible hand in.

I for one understand it. Don't necessarily agree but definitely understand it.

How close is Villeneuve to capacity with regards to water and sewer? I suspect it will need to be improved or expanded anyway.

You're right it will need improved and expanded, but now we are in to multiple millions of dollars and a ton of nasty politics so it will be some time I would guess and it is very unfortunate.

Personally, if I was developing at Villeneuve I would be installing gray water recovery and other systems to make sure I could handle every non potable water service I could and making sure I had on site capacity (gray water) to handle fire suppression needs for my site.

It's actually a darn good business move anyway as it would long term lower operating costs and give my business site the "Green" image needed in today's marketing and consumers expect it today (right or wrong is irrelevant...it's expected).

In my highly biased personal opinion

[Beefitarian]

But not being here through the "whole" process I don't think (correct me if I am wrong) you've got a handle on how nasty things got (not pointing any fingers) and how hurt many people and businesses are. It has been bad.

Yes, I'm looking at it from a distance. It seems like it would have been bad enough if they did not rush it. I can't fully relate not being there. It must be quite a bit worse.

I hope someone manages to provide a few alternatives to Villeneuve. That will likely take some time.

[skymarc]

I wish Parkland Airport gets built as we need more airports in Canada. Build at least a 3000 ft runway for GA. I dont know why a new airport was not negotiated with the city of Edmonton when they decide to close City Center.
Im not sure you need any local building permits for the runway, this is a federal mather.
We saw it last year in Neuville, PQ. Nothing the city can do.

[culver10]

If it was not for the Aeronautics ACT and the fact that the Federal Government, (NOT LOCAL) controls airport developemnt, there would be no airports anywhere!! People HATE change and will appose it almost always. Here is an article from the Edmonton Journal;




Construction continues on Parkland County aerodrome despite stop work order

Edmonton Journal September 20, 2013

EDMONTON - Developers who are in the process of building an airport in Parkland County, west of Edmonton, have been served a stop work order, but a company official said construction will continue.

Robert Gilgen, president of Parkland Airport Development Corp., said the order was delivered Wednesday afternoon to the 34-hectare work site, located on the east side of Sandhills Road about 2.5 kilometres north of Garden Valley Road. He stopped construction temporarily and reviewed the document, which calls for a halt to construction on or before Oct. 10. After also consulting his company’s lawyer, Gilgen decided to proceed with the topsoil removal currently underway.

“I believe that between Transport Canada and the county there will be communication and we will establish that yes, this is federal jurisdiction and the county has no jurisdiction,” said Gilgen.

He said the county has told him that the development work contravenes a bylaw because he did not obtain a work permit.

Gilgen counters that the company’s project is legally defined as an aerodrome, any surface on which it is intended for aircraft to land and take off, and is registered with Transport Canada as such, and is therefore under federal jurisdiction. An aerodrome must become certified before it is legally known as an airport.

© Copyright (c) The Edmonton Journal

[Prodriver]

This is some helpful info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuville_Airport