The local Airport Authority was officially formed in March of 2008 and today the board has a definite vision to bring regularly scheduled flights to Yorkton.
At Monday evening's regular meeting of council, Ron Evinou, Chair of the Authority provided an update on the airport situation and shared a plan to move into the future. Evinou delivered a five to 25 year plan to council with a request members look it over before a final draft is drawn up.
With a growing community, Evinou says the need for a functioning airport is becoming more and more evident. He adds, it's the Airport Authority's goal - with the support of the city - to see that happen.
Following numerous studies and the engagement of professionals Evinou says there is a plan and it can work. The airport he says, is ideally suited for warehousing, storing and distribution so one of the focuses has been on getting tenants to help cover the costs of improvements and change.
"We want more and more tenants paying commercially competitive rent... this an attractive choice for companies looking for more commercial space on which to build." Achieving this and other goals means increasing awareness of the airport. Open houses have been held and public exposure has come to the forefront over the last two years says Evinou. In addition, the authority meets regularly to implement and come up with new ideas.
A detailed cost plan has been developed as to how to improve airport infrastructure safely and as efficiently as possible. This and other details were presented to council for review and comment at an upcoming meeting.
A three day conference has also been planned in Yorkton, from November 17-19, to further explore small airport sustainability and the economic spin offs as a result.
Slated to take place at the Ramada, Evinou says, "This is an important event for Yorkton and for our board. We invite as many people as possible to mark their calendar and join us..."
The ultimate goal says the board chair, is to have an upgraded airport with regularly scheduled flights to a variety of destinations.
Federal funding he says, called ACAP, is currently available but only to airports with at least 1,000 regularly scheduled flights per year (500 departures and 500 arrivals).
"We believe that with time (and support of the business community) this can be easily achieved.
"I personally look forward to the day when I can jump on a flight to Winnipeg... saving time, saving money for my company...
"Time is money and our airport can save us a lot of time.
"Our board thanks you (council) for the opportunity to deliver our plan to the city. We look forward to your feedback. We believe city support can one day justify regularly scheduled flights in Yorkton."
