Mountain View County has high hopes for the Olds-Didsbury Airport.
The municipality has invested just under $1.8 million in a major development effort at the airport located eight km south of Olds. A number of improvements have been made, including the construction of roads, taxiways for aircraft and the installation of services for hangar lots.
The county expects to recoup its investment through the sale of land.
“This is kind of the first phase of further development there,” said Mountain View County Reeve Al Kemmere. “It’s the beginning of moving the airport further.”
Last year, provincial funding was tapped to upgrade the airstrip and lay down new asphalt.
The county is now looking at giving economic development a boost by making lots available to interested buyers. The county doesn’t normally act as a developer, but in this case the project was on a smaller scale than most other developers would find attractive so the municipality decided to take the lead, said Kemmere, who sees plenty of potential at the airport.
“We’re kind of in a unique situation where we’re halfway between Calgary and Red Deer. With Red Deer becoming a little bit more of a regional and Calgary just growing by leaps and bounds, there’s always a home for the smaller personal aircraft or some small, low-level commercial aircraft.”
Small hangars and other “airside” developments are envisioned as a way to cater a facility towards those interested in air transportation links.
“We’re trying to get some economic development happening in the area. It’s just another one of those tools to make the area accessible for various types of economic development.”
Kemmere said the investment is expected to reap great benefits to the county in terms of additional tax revenue and increased service.
Sales have already been strong, with the lowest-priced lots already conditionally sold. The 13 lots are valued at about $550,000.
Another eight higher-cost lots, many of then facing the runway, are also available.
The county has been talking to the Calgary Airport Authority to get their insight on the best way to direct marketing towards potential buyers, said Steve McInnis, the county’s director of operational services.
The Olds-Didsbury Airport was built in 1983 by the Alberta government and is owned and operated by the county.
pcowley@www.reddeeradvocate.com