Fly in, fly out community

By Darren Handschuh Wed, August 22, 2007 http://www.dailycourier.ca/stories.php?id=60569

A new city corporation has been created to deal with an acre of land at the Vernon airport. The Capt. Bailey Way Development Corporation will be in charge of developing the land said Mayor Wayne Lippert. The plan is to build nine hangars with a residential component to them. "Once that development is done and sold out, that corporation will cease to exist or if it is strata they would be the strata corporation," said Lippert, adding it will be up to the corporation to determine the best possible use of the land. The corporation will work with the airport committee, but will be an independent body. Lippert said the hangar/residential development is something people have been wanting for some time. "It will be a good boost for the airport," he said. "It could turn in to a nice development. They can live there and fly out." The land will be transferred into the name of the corporation and all shares in the corporation will be owned by the city.

Appointed to the corporation are Barry Jackson, John Blunt, Steve Bertram, John Tigchelaar and Coun. Pat Cochrane. Cochrane who is a pilot himself said the hangar/residential concept is popular at other airports. He said the idea could fly in Vernon because the area is such a popular vacation destination. "It sounds like there is an opportunity there," he said, adding local pilots are also interested in the plan. Cochrane also sits on the Kelowna airport advisory committee. Lippert said at present there will be no financial remuneration for the board members, but admits that could change. "It's people who are interested in developing the airport. It isn't expected there will be any remuneration or a stipend," said Lippert, adding the final decision of a stipend will be up to the corporation members. "I certainly am not expecting anything," said Cochrane. "I would assume, being a member of council, it will be part of my council duties anyway."