Timmins officials say newly paved runways at the airport have potential to attract Caribbean carriers
The City of Timmins can hear the wild blue yonder calling its name now that the re-paving of its runways and taxiways is complete.
The COVID-19 pandemic and deteriorating infrastructure have been some bumps in the road for the Timmins Victor M Power airport, but now that the $9.5 million rehabilitation and resurfacing of its approximately 40 kilometres of roadways there is done, officials are hoping it'll be smooth sailing for a while.
"737s were in here before we started this work last year," said Dave Dayment, the airport manager.
He said they charter forest firefighting personnel around.
"We have Hercules coming in here doing search and rescue ... a Hercules could be well over 100,000 pounds. So when we upgraded the runway and added (more asphalt) to it, it gave us a little longer lifespan," Dayment said.
The federal government funded 60 per cent of the paving job and the airport paid the balance. The airport is operated by the City of Timmins, but it's on its own to pay its bills.
This is why Dayment said it's import business resume as soon as possible and he said the new runways will help it land more contracts.
"A couple years we’ve been looking at to get some funding to do ... a land use document for future planning. If someone was to show up and wanted to build a hanger; ground base maintenance facility of some kind; industrial of some kind ... we need to get an inventory of what we’re capable of doing," he said.
Timmins Mayor George Pirie agreed and said the Timmins Economic Development Corporation is also working on diversification plans for the city.
"I think you’ve heard me talk about the possibility of having carriers come here to go into the Caribbean and to get into other locations and with Timmins being the hub within northeastern Ontario, northeastern Quebec ... we have to have the best possible airport.," Pirie said.
Pre-pandemic, the Timmins Victor M Power Airport checks in approximately 180,000 passengers a year from around the region on: passenger, cargo, evacuation, and air ambulance flights, to name a few.
Airport officials look forward to seeing additional flights when pandemic restrictions loosen, however they say that will depend on whether or not people resume travelling again. Currently, Dayment said most flights are mining related.
He said the airport's next big project will be to develop the 20-year strategic plan.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
South Korean sentenced to 14 months in jail for killing 76 cats
South Korean man has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for killing 76 cats in one of the country's most gruesome cases of animal cruelty in recent years.