The concept of funding Vernon’s airport is getting a rough ride from some regional politicians. On Wednesday, the North Okanagan Regional District decided to consider a funding request from the city as part of its 2008 budget deliberations.
However, some aren’t keen on the idea.“Directly we don’t benefit from it,” said Eugene Foisy, Cherryville director. “I would have a hard time defending Cherryville tax dollars going into the Vernon Airport.” That is also the view of rural Enderby resident Herman Halvorson, who points out that many of his residents use the airport in Salmon Arm, not Vernon. “It doesn’t have any impact in Area F,” he said.The city has asked NORD to provide 10 to 20 per cent of the expenditures of the airport. That could amount to less than $10,000. While Cherryville and rural Enderby’s representatives are opposed, some politicians are undecided about funding the airport. “The airport is a regional airport. But it’s something we’d have to throw by council for a decision,” said Gary Corner, Coldstream director. Lorna Bissell, Spallumcheen director, is also unwilling to make a decision at this time. “It’s a regional airport, but whether Spallumcheen would support it, I don’t know,” she said. “They (city) need to do a report to Spallumcheen council if they want possible buy-in.”
During a presentation to NORD Wednesday, the city’s airport advisory committee pitched the need for financial support. “An investment in the airport is an investment in improving the North Okanagan’s economic health,” said manager Grahame Go. Businesses at the airport directly employ 101 people, and businesses throughout the region utilize the facility. Okanagan College’s aviation campus is also based at the airport, while the runway serves emergency flights such as air ambulance, RCMP and Search and Rescue. “We provide vital services to the community,” said Go. NORD operated the airport until the mid-1990s when the city took over management.
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