GREENFIELD, NS - The South Shore Flying Club (SSF Club) and the Region of Queens Municipality have entered into two new lease agreements that will allow the SSF Club’s programs and activities to take off.
At the regular council meeting Dec. 12, council approved entering into a 13-year lease with the club for the terminal building at the airport, and also a 13-year lease for 40,800 square feet of land at 80 Airport Dr. in Greenfield with the intent that it be used by the SSF Club to build hangars, says a Region of Queens media release.
“Following a period of growth and development over the past year and a half since they began the lease for the South Shore Regional Airport, the South Shore Flying Club determined some additional needs that would increase the capacity of the group,” said David Dagley, mayor of the Region of Queens Municipality.
“Council has been happy to see the flying club moving forward, actively promoting the airport, and growing its membership as well as increasing and improving on the infrastructure at the airport.”
The 13-year lease is set to come into effect on Jan. 1, 2018 and continue through to May 31, 2031, which is also the renewal date for the current airport that the SSF Club has with the Region of Queens Municipality, says the release.
“We signed the management lease to operate the South Shore Regional Airport in June 2016. It is our hope that we can grow the facility to attract new pilots and existing pilots from other areas and around the South Shore. Also to attract new businesses to the area, knowing they would have a viable airport within the South Shore to help grow their business. Obviously, this could be a vital link to getting their products or clients in and out of the area quickly and efficiently,” said Peter Gow, vice-president of the SSF Club.
He adds that having the airport in the community benefits the entire region.
“The area would also benefit from having this airport in place, in case of fire (as happened two years ago) to get firefighting aircraft into the fire area quickly, or in case of natural disaster, to be able to move people in and out effectively,” Gow said. “Air ambulance services would also be able to use the airport. A long-term goal would be to offer fuel for aircraft, which we do not have now. This is a very expensive endeavour, so we want to start small and get established before we look into that possibility.”
During the first 18 months of operating the airport, the SSF Club has made steady progress with members painting the runway markings and taxiway lines to give pilots better visibility both on the tarmac and from the air coming in to land, and also installed new flags and a new windsock, which had its location moved from the north to the south side of the runway to give a better reading of winds.
Two members spent about 50 hours redesigning and painting a compass rose, which is used to adjust aircraft onboard compasses.
The SSF Club held a fundraiser in March 2016 for its annual insurance premiums, and noted that they were well supported by the community in donations of items for silent auction, as well as in their bids.
Did you know?
The South Shore Regional Airport is at 80 Airport Dr. in Greenfield, Queens County, N.S. and is airport code CYAU. Featuring a 75-foot wide by 3,933-foot long paved unlit runway, with no fuel on site, the South Shore Regional Airport is operated by the South Shore Flying Club and is also home to the Greenfield Dragway, operated by the Nova Scotia Drag Racers Association.
