The MD of Foothills is considering taking over High River’s share in the operation of the High River Regional Airport, but some pilots and leaseholders at the facility want more public consultation before any decisions are made.
High River and the MD are in discussions about the prospect the MD may buy the Town’s share in the High River Airport Corporation for $1.
Harry Harker, High River town manager, said the Town was willing to either divest itself of its share of the airport or take over the MD’s share. While High River was willing to go either way, he said it ultimately makes more sense for the MD to take over.
“The MD has the land use designation, they have a number of other things, they have far more authority on what goes on out there than we do,” said Harker.
The airport corporation and property are jointly owned by High River and MD and the Town is still retaining half ownership of the airport property at this time.
Harker said handing the airport over to the MD will not have an economic impact on the Town.
High River town council was scheduled to consider the matter on Monday evening. MD council hasn’t made a decision on the matter.
MD manager Harry Riva Cambrin said it’s under serious consideration.
“Our council is more than willing to go forward based on us assuming the Town’s share in the corporation… if they decide to go ahead we’re prepared,” he said.
As development at the airport increased in recent years, Riva Cambrin said it’s operation has become more complicated and it will make operations easier having only one municipality involved. He said the board has a number of initiatives underway, including a new area structure plan and putting finances in order.
“You’ll have a consistence from a planning point of view and at the board level,” he said. “I think overall it could make things a lot easier.”
Riva Cambrin said he the only likely change will be the board seat currently filled by a representative from High River would be taken over by someone from the MD.
Eileen Griesdale, a pilot who uses the airport, said there should be some consultation with pilots, leaseholders and the public before any decisions are made on the proposal.
“I think, if nothing else, a little bit of a public meeting and general discussion about why they think this is a good idea,” she said.
However, Riva Cambrin said the proposal is a business transaction like any other because the airport corporation is just that, a corporation.
“It’s a business transaction and I don’t know why we would hold a public discussion on it,” he said.
In the long-term, Griesdale said it makes more sense for the Town to be in charge.
“With all the new development, the Town is moving south and I think they’ve annexed as much as they can in the north,” she said. “Ten years from now is the Town going to be butting up against the airport?”
Griesdale said she would like to know what benefit the move will have for the airport.
“Whether the Town owns the airport, or the MD owns the airport, it has to be somebody that wants to own the airport with a forward thinking perspective.”
She said she is also concerned the airport will not be a priority for the MD.
Riva Cambrin said the MD doesn’t see any reason for concern regarding the move.
“The corporation has a board of directors with five members and three of them are non-elected officials so the operations at the airport are probably going to remain much the same as they always have been,” he said.
