HORNEPAYNE — A new runway at the Hornepayne Municipal Airport will help open the skies for business opportunities and improve access for medical transportation.
A formal ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the new runway was held in the municipality last week.
Hornepayne Mayor Cheryl Fort said the project has been an important one for Hornepayne, as well as the Superior North region. She said the runway helps address the need for safe and reliable access to medical transfers, charter planes, businesses and investment opportunities.
“I am really excited about this on multiple fronts. First, it is important for the safety of the community as it now is a perfect place to land planes. It’s a huge asset to be maintained for the long-term knowing all of this is now done,” Fort said.
The mayor also spoke about the significance of her and her council having taken this project from start to finish.
“This was an initiative that the current council took and worked on from start to finish. They got the funds for it, looked at the plans needed for it, went out and finalized the tendered contract for this project and took it too completion,” Fort said.
In addition, Fort mentioned that at last week’s council meeting, council approved the tender for the final component of the airport rehabilitation project, which covers the airport fuel tank and pumping system.
The ribbon cutting ceremony hosted many individuals, government officials and the community. The mayor mentioned that federal and provincial leaders have been supportive of the project.
Vic Fedeli, the province's minister of economic development, job creation and trades of Ontario, was unable to attend the ceremony but prepared a message to the community that was shared by video.
In his message, Fedeli congratulated the township describing Hornepayne as the geographic centre of the province. He spoke about the government’s pride in investing in this infrastructure program for the township, as it will enhance and support economic growth for both the township and the region.
“Our government was proud to nominate this project to the Investing Canada Infrastructure Program because we understood the province’s $1.6 million dollar investment was more than adding runway lighting and resurfacing. We northerners we get it,” said Fedeli. “A project like this has soaring benefits and we are not just talking about airplanes. When we increase transportation options in places like Hornepayne, we connect communities, neighbourhoods, families, people and jobs."
The minister continued his message by highlighting what he believed to be key benefits that this project will result in, and of its potential to enhance the safety of users of the airport, including ambulances and fire crews.
“The rehabilitated airport has the potential to increase economic opportunities, to the area. It will bring of mind contributing to the health and safety of residents and visitors, by allowing air, ambulances, and fire crews to continue to have a place to safely touch down,” Fedeli said.
Fort said the airport had been reaching the end of its lifespan, making the rehabilitation a necessity for Hornepayne and the opening of the runway represents a milestone.
“It is paramount to have this need and this airport as a functioning well facility and to keep it “oiled” so to speak in order to maintain its lifespan as well,” she said.