The Municipality of Chatham-Kent has big plans for the municipal airport.
A report going to CK council Monday night stated the development plan is still in the concept phase, but the idea is to expand the western portion of the airport lands at 8528 14th Line by the end of this year and if the concept proceeds, the new hanger development would be the largest at the airport since its inception.
Chatham-Kent Director of Public Works Ryan Brown wrote growth at the airport has surpassed expectations over the past decade and it is poised to grow even more over the next 10-plus years.
Brown said administration has been reviewing the concept of doubling the existing hanger layout on the existing private taxiway, adding negotiations are underway with an investor who is looking at leasing all eight hanger spaces and constructing them all in 2025. He noted long term, the proposal would also see a new taxiway surface doubled in width.
According to administration, the airport will soon have four corporate hangers instead of two, as was initially planned. Staff said one hanger has been completed, while two are under construction this year, and one corporate hanger space remains available for leasing.
Brown added the existing layout of the airport is not ideal for long term growth and a Growth Master Plan, expected to get underway this summer, will lay out the design for hanger space to continue to the west to promote growth.
However, long term development may hit a snag with the landfill directly across the road from the airport also needing to expand in the future.
The municipality said it's weighing different long term options, including relocating the airport and hangers to resolve the conflict, eventually closing the airport once leases have expired, or doing nothing.
"The high-level option that would meet both parties’ [landfill and airport] future needs is potentially moving the airport," said Brown. "Administration is undertaking a feasibility study for a potential relocation of the airport and will consult with airport users and the Ridge Landfill regarding the feasibility of this long-term option, cost, and operational implications."
Council is also being asked to lobby the provincial government for more funding to grow the airport.
