After studying four tenders from groups interested in taking on the responsibility of the operation, maintenance and promotion of the Fort Frances Municipal Airport, council chose the winning bidders last night.
“The operation of the airport will be done by the current staff,” confirmed Mayor Glenn Witherspoon. “We’re going to put an effort into promoting the airport.”
Mayor Witherspoon explained that there will be an increased focus on the airport’s economic development, with more funding provided for promoting the newly-enhanced facility to businesses, potential users and tenants locally and across both the Canada and the U.S..
“It’s to be augmented by the services of our economic development officer,” added CAO Bill Naturkach.
The town has had to kick in funding for the airport every year since the federal government, which had been providing 50 percent of the facility’s operations, withdrew funding around 1995.
Last year, the town had to cover a $149,017 funding shortfall at the airport and in 1998 had to kick in $136,808.
In an attempt to save costs to the municipality, council had issued the request for proposal for airport operations and received four tenders by the April 11 deadline, the goal being to maintain an airport here without a deficit.
“If we’re going to have any infrastructure, we’re going to need an airport,” said Mayor Witherspoon.
The decision to stick with current management staff because of their past performance was made last night during a special meeting of the committee of the whole.
The City of Thunder Bay and two private companies also issued proposals to operate the airport.
Bearskin Airlines currently provides daily flights to and from Thunder Bay and in 1999 12,308 passengers used the airport on 6,109 recorded flights.
With two paved runways, one measuring 4,500 feet in length and the other 2,600 feet there is room for more traffic at the airport.
The town hopes to capitalize on its central location between Winnipeg, Manitoba and Thunder Bay and the proximity of the border to increase that traffic.
The new terminal, which recently opened at the airport has been built to accommodate additional airlines in the future.
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