GORDON—Leaders of each of the three municipalities involved in the Gore Bay-Manitoulin Airport expressed pleasure that the major renovation project for the airport has commenced.
“After all the COVID-related delays, to finally have the shovels in the ground is a huge step forward,” stated Lee Hayden, reeve of Gordon-Barrie Island. “The airport upgrade project is now underway. It has been a joint effort between the three owners of the airport, Burpee and Mills, Gore Bay and Gordon-Barrie Island. And we are all committed to see this project proceed despite the unforeseen challenges during the process.”
Gore Bay Mayor Ron Lane said, “As one of the three owners of the Gore Bay-Manitoulin Airport, the Town of Gore Bay is pleased that after four years of planning along with the challenges of dealing with the construction price increases resulting from COVID, our plans to modernize our airport are now underway.”
It was explained by Mayor Lane that “A $4.3 million dollar contract was awarded in early June to Lignum Builders of Espanola to construct a new terminal building, construct a new helipad and install new electric services, including a new generator to service the airport. As of this date (June 29) the contractor is onsite and site preparations have begun. Funding for the project is coming from FedNor, the owner municipalities, the airport commission and private donors.”
Burpee and Mills Reeve Ken Noland said with the delays in the project and with the increase in building material costs through the process, “we are pleased the project is now underway. When we first started the process, we were looking at a cost of $400 per square foot for the air terminal building construction pre-COVID, but this has doubled over the past three years. And the increase has cost us the upgrades to the secondary runway.”
Jeff Bint, vice-president of Lignum Builders of Espanola and airport project manager told The Expositor, “The excavation work started last week beside the current air terminal building, where the new building will be located.”
“The foundation for the building will start (this) week,” said Mr. Bint, who said the company, which he operates with Brant Leclair, has done a lot of work projects on Manitoulin Island.
“The airport terminal will be brand new and will incorporate the architect’s and airport commission’s visions that for people who get off the airplane and will be entering the gateway to Manitoulin Island. The project will include runway lighting upgrades as well as lighting upgrades for the parking lot, runway and helipad (the latter designed for helicopters), and new backup generator.”
“The airplane apron will be expanded, where the planes turn in toward the airport once they land. Right now, they are restricted in the amount of space they have,” said Mr. Bint. “We will be decommissioning the airport terminal building as part of the project and the apron will be expanded to allow planes more space for planes to maneuver and park. The expanded apron will be located beside the current terminal building with a gap of about 80 feet to provide more apron room for incoming airplanes.”
The new airport terminal building will be approximately 5,000 square feet in size, said Mr. Bint. “There will be a nice lobby area for people to enter and lots of area to display memorabilia.” Robby Colwell, airport manager, “has all kinds of memorabilia on the airport and he will now have two areas where he can display these items.”
Mr. Bint said there will be a large waiting area in the ATB, an office for Mr. Colwell, a new Canadian Border Service Agency office and several washrooms in the building. “The new building will be accessibility compliant.” The building will also include a small kitchen area for food services. “I believe there will also be two rental offices available.”
“To tie into the feel of Manitoulin Island, the building will have timber framing and tongue and groove cedar on it,” said Mr. Bint.
Mr. Bint said the entire airport renovation and upgrade project is scheduled to be complete by August 2024.
“The new terminal building, apron expansion and updated electrical system will provide first rate air transportation opportunities for all of Manitoulin Island into future decades,” said Reeve Hayden. “This is the most extensive project I have been involved in my 25 years with the township. But it will all be worthwhile once the project is complete.”
Mayor Lane pointed out, “the Gore Bay Airport was constructed by the Government of Canada in the late 1940s and has been in continuous operation ever since. A number of years ago Gore Bay, Gordon-Barrie Island and Burpee and Mills assumed ownership of the airport and it is currently operated by an airport commission consisting of representatives from the three municipalities and citizen representatives. The airport is a fully licensed airport and can accommodate private, commercial and government propeller and jet aircraft. The airport has been managed for the last 27 years by Robbie Colwell, who is both a pilot and an aircraft technician.”
