Vanderhoof has a water aerodrome again.
READ MORE: Vanderhoof Airport Development society wants an aerodrome on the Nechako River
The aerodrome is provincial property and is located downstream of the bridge on Nechako River, around Sandy beach, Paul Collard, president of the Vanderhoof Airport Development Society told the Omineca Express, March 27.
A water aerodrome is an area of open water used by seaplanes or amphibious aircraft for landing and taking off.
The docks associated with the aerodrome are privately owned and accessed through private land with the agreement of the landowners.
VADS worked with Transport Canada to make this possible. There are no direct costs associated to this other than a windsock and pole that will be put up after the snow clears, Collard said.
The airport development society will be looking at attracting transient float planes, particularly those going to and from Alaska, he said.
“The present emergency (COVID-19) and collapse of the economy for a year or so will have a negative affect on this,” Collard said, however, noting that local hotels and fuel suppliers can all benefit from the aerodrome in the district.
The Water Aerodrome was established around the 1950s and “has always been a part of the history and future of Vanderhoof. There have been no negative aspects to this facility, ever, and the VADS is happy to restore it, and offer another piece in the puzzle of economic diversity that Vanderhoof and the area will need to assure a future for the town and area,” Collard added.
VADS and the district of Vanderhoof had been embroiled in a conflict around the water aerodrome. The district decommissioned the site and VADS didn’t agree with that decision. Since then, the airport development society has lobbied to get the aerodrome back into the community.
Aman Parhar
Editor, Vanderhoof Omineca Express
aman.parhar@ominecaexpress.com
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