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Home My WebLink AboutThe Wingham Advance Times, 1995-04-12, Page 7rs ►1LDNE :^I YR APRIL 12;1995 4 THE IIr1 GHAMAOVANC FLIES Airport proposal meets with quiet public reaction Only four question committee's intention to proceed in Morris Continued from front page proceed on property along High- way 86 north of Blueyale. No offi- cial word has been given for the change, although both physical re- straints and public opposition no doubt contributed to the switch. Bernhard Schropp, off Paragon Engineering, made the presentation to the some 60 people in atten- dance. Schropp told the audience the airport was expected to see its usego to small personal most of craft, but explained. the 4,000 by 75 foot airstrip would accommodate larger planes. Schropp said the operating costs will be kept down by implementing a lower level of supervision than airports of equal size, such as the Saugeen Municipal Airport just west of Hanover. "The land use retention may also make a major contribution to off- setting costs," he said. "The com- mittee is committed to the agricul- tural land use." There will be some crop restrictions closer to the actual paved runway, but for the most part, all crops will be allowed on the remaining portion of land. The plan calls for a total of $2.39 million. Approximately 78 per cent will be funded by the province, with the Town of Wingham left to foot $526,000. Wescast Industries has committed $312,000 of the town's share, leaving the actual amount Wingham has to provide at `$214,000 In terms of an operating - deficit, the airport committee has identified a worst cast scenario of $3,000 annual deficit to a best case • outlook of a $.10,000 surplus. The project is expected to take two. years for completion, with the com- mittee looking to get the land lev- elled and gravel cover in place this year, with paving coming in 1996. Currently, no land use restric- tions have been identified to stall the project. The committee report states that little environmental im- .pact would be felt and that tree re- moval will be minimized by tree planting in other sectors. $upport for the project was given Wfilecouncils " of Wingham ' and Monis Township earlier in the week. At Morris council, the com- mittee was told of a road allowance matter that may take as long as. six ' months to clear up. This 'stems from a road allowance that was. granted on the King property sever- al years ago when the International Plowing Match was held on site by then property owner Jim Arm- strong. The township agreed to the airport project in principle. , In addition to the .road allow- ance, there is some concern over re- quested access to the back 49 acres of the 'Henderson property by the land owner. The township will hold a public information night on April 17 at 8:00 p.m. at the Belgrave.Women's Institute Hall. ' Debby Himmelman said she is very concerned about both the ef- fect of the noise level on her horses and that in the future residents of Morris Township, where the airport is now expected to be located, will be expected to pay a portion on an operating deficit. Himmelman's Morris Twp., Con- cession 1 property borders the air- port site on the southeast corner and will be under the pilots' circuit if the strip proceeds at the chosen Location. In addition, Himmelman, who is empldyed by Canada , Customs at the Saugeen Municipal Airport, said she questioned the need for a Wingham airport with both Hano- ver and Goderich being within a one hour drive. "Is such an airport feasible these tough economic times?" Ian Moreland, former Town of Wingham Mayor and current com- mittee member, replied that the On- • tario Ministry of Transportation is committed to the development of municipal airports and has identi- fied a gap in service in the Huron - Perth region. He said it would be difficult to let the opportunity pass, with funding from Wescast, and give another community the bene- fit. "I would hate to think of Listow- el, Palmerston or Harriston getting an airport and all we could do is sit back and say we could have had one," Moreland answered. He said the town's largest employer is com- mitted to the development of such an airport, and is covering more than half of the municipal share. In addition, he said with their $020 mil- lion infusion into the community annually through employment and their status as the largest Taxpayer in Wingham, the community should be working with them to in- crease efficiency of service and create more profit-making options. "If we cannot work with indus- try, then we are in big trouble. It's rather foolish not to do so," he said. Moreland cited examples of how InterForest in Hanover has grown and generated hundreds of thou- sands of dollars in business by hav- ing access to an airport. But during the conversation be- tween all parties, somewhere along the line the debate turned away from the expected small engine use to that of turbo -prop and corporate jets. After the meeting, several area pilots speculated the Cessina-type, single engine private planes will be, the most common user of the air- strip, while talk of jets and large aircraft was simply "fear - mongering" and added to the con- fusion. Ofie pilot, who asked not to in be named, said he couldn't see much more use than single engine. craft and even then during nice weather. It should be noted, howev- er, that the airport will be large enough to handle such large air- craft, including Medivac planes and be operable 24 -hours per day. Mary Henderson, who lives on property to the west of the pro- posed strip, asked if the airplanes would make as much noise as the helicopters landing at the heliport on Lynn Hoy's property on the north side of Highway 86. Schropp explained the noise levels are dif- ferent because of the two crafts dif- ference in propulsion. The helicop- ter's thrust comes from a much more turbulent method and there- fore creates a different sound vibra- tion. He also said with the prevail- ing winds from the west, the most noise produced by the airplanes on the runway would come at the most easterly section, well away from Henderson's home. The noise study conducted by the engineering firm made the noise level comparison to that of the highway during peak summer travel. Noise produced by ground level traffic at 100 feet is equal to that of aircraft taking off. Schropp cited Richard Ross, past president of the Flying Farmers or- ganization in dispelling fears over the noise impact on livestock. Ross told the engineering firm in a report that he felt most tractorsP roduce more noise than the single engine aircraft and he had never encoun- tered problems with either poultry or livestock in relation to aircraft noise. This was supported by Bel - grave resident Robert Armstrong, the only person to speak in favour of the airstrip during the public comment session. Armstrong said his father has operated a private strip just outside of Brussels for over 20 years and has never re - ceived a complaint regarding noise. i The other concern expressed dur- ing the public forum was that of scout leader Phil Foxton. The air- port development will most likely redirect vehicle access to the prop- erty. For several years, the Bridge family has allowed the local Scout troop to maintain a cabin in a wooded area at the back of the land. Foxton asked if the Scouts would be able to access the cabin as they had in the past. Moreland said in response that the last thing the committee wanted to do was get the Scouts mad and that he personally felt there would be better access to the cabin in the future. "The committee is looking ahead. That is why we're looking at the airport and the prosperity of the community," .Moreland said in his summation. Comments made to the committee will be sent to the Min- istry of Transportation. E:'..w�':°�./:i?::C:i::'•:.5.:1.•'i' ::ENSESUBMICRI♦� ....v. v%lM.'/Y•`'tty ii` iR:JfiION.%.Ai: }::! If you're not subscribing to Subscription Rates • The Wingham Advance -Times, you're missing out. Use this coupon to subscribe today! Name: .40 Address: City: Prov: Postal Code: or Call us 519-357-2320. Canada within 40 miles (65 km) $27 plus 1.89 GST Outside 40 miles $40 plus 2.80 GST Outside Canada $80 plus 5.60 GST Return to: The Wingham Advance -Times P.O. Box 390 5 Diagonal Rd. 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