Staff
The Town of Fort Frances has rallied district support for the concept of having the municipal airport here deemed a regional one.
At the annual meeting of the Rainy River District Municipal Association on Saturday in Stratton, membership approved a resolution put forth by the Town of Fort Frances, which has been seeing dramatic increases in operating costs for the airport in recent years.
For example, the net operational cost of running the airport rose from $94,020 in 2007 to $210,043 in 2009.
The resolution acknowledged that the Fort Frances municipal airport is the only airport in Rainy River District west of Atikokan, and provides a vital link for all residents of the western portion of the district for travel related to medical, business, educational, personal, and economic development needs.
It also noted the airport has been operating at a financial deficit and continues to be a financial burden to the residents of the Town of Fort Frances alone, and that the operational costs and the maintenance of this regional airport must be supported by all residents in the west portion of the district.
By approving the resolution, the RRDMA endorses the concept of a regional airport in the west portion of Rainy River District, as well as that this regional airport be funded by all residents being serviced in the west portion of Rainy River District including First Nations and unincorporated areas.
This district-wide support will allow the Town of Fort Frances to go to senior levels of government and ask for assistance in maintaining the vital service.
However, just how district municipalities will be financially supporting the operation of the airport down the road still needs to be examined further.
