MEDIA RELEASE
District Council voted at its August 8, 2016 meeting to proceed with additional data gathering and further investigate the feasibility of scheduled passenger service at the Muskoka Airport. Next steps include gathering additional data and exploring opportunities for public funding and private investors to support capital requirements.
“I have always felt the airport is underutilized and I see this as a tremendous opportunity,” remarked John Klinck, District Chair. “This needs to be a community effort in order to move forward and be successful. The District cannot do this on its own, so it is encouraging to hear great interest and support from the public and private sector.”
Over the coming months, a project team made up of representatives from the District and Regional Tourism Organization 12 (Explorers’ Edge) will execute several activities to confirm budget, financing, timing, and agreement authorizations requirements should the project proceed. The concurrent work will include:
- Continued engagement of tourism stakeholders
- Initiation of formal discussions with airline(s)
- Submission of a Screening Application to Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA)
- Request to Transport Canada to the Muskoka Airport designate the airport to enable security screening
- Confirmation of use of Muskoka Aircraft Refinishing apron space
- The release of Requests for Proposals for the design and construction of a Facility and for a Security Plan
- Further investigations of potential funding and revenue sources
A report on the findings from these activities will be prepared for the consideration of the Planning and Economic Development Committee in October
Read Staff Report PED-10-2016-2 for more information or view the staff presentation.
Background
Council’s decision to continue to explore this Scheduled Passenger Service follows a feasibility study conducted by InterVISTAS, a consulting company specializing in airport development. The study was initiated by Explorers’ Edge to explore the feasibility of scheduled service at the Muskoka Airport. Explorers’ Edge and other regional tourism stakeholders believe that scheduled service presents a unique opportunity to grow tourism in Muskoka and market the region more aggressively to US and UK markets. The District and the Town of Gravenhurst contributed funds to support the study.
The InterVISTAS study investigated community support, options for facilities, cost estimates, economic impact and potential next steps, based on a goal that the potential service would be in place in the summer of 2017.
The study notes that a high level of community support was expressed through extensive stakeholder consultation (Area Municipalities, District, small and large resorts, golf courses, marinas, breweries, transportation companies, airport businesses and customers, etc.).
The InterVISTAS report concludes that scheduled service will have direct economic impacts for resorts and hotels and their suppliers, ground transportation (taxis, shuttles), the food and beverage industry, other visitor spending, and increased employment related to servicing flights. Additional indirect, induced and catalytic impacts would further increase community economic impact. The report notes three scenarios for projected combined direct annual economic impacts from the new service:
- High Scenario: The potential air services would support 7.6 full-time equivalent positions (FTEs) and $430,000 in GDP in year 1, while in Year 3 the services would support 27.1 FTEs and $1.6 million in GDP
- Medium Scenario: The potential air services would support 5.6 FTEs and $340,000 in GDP in Year 1, growing to 12.3 FTEs and $750,000 in GDP in Year 3
- Low Scenario: The potential air services would support approximately 4.6 FTEs and $300,000 in GDP for each of the three years.”
View the InterVISTAS report Muskoka Airport Designation Security Screening and Commercial Air Service (June 15, 2016).
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The article mentions RFP’s for the construction of a facility with no mention of lengthening the existing landing strips. Am I incorrect, or are the existing landing facilities adequate for the jet aircraft that we wish to attract from the US and the UK?