Transport Minister Officiates at Opening
A large and shivering crowd braved last Wednesday’s near freezing temperatures to huddle on the winswept tarmac at Elk Point Airport as Alberta Transportation Minister Marvin Moore snipped the scarlet ribbon to officially open the $818,000 facility. Also taking part in the official opening ceremonies were Pastor John McGregor of the Elk Point Baptist Church, who gave the invocation, Elk Point Mayor Ed Buck, County of St. Paul Reeve Robert Bouchard, Chamber of Commerce secretary Vicki Brooker, Elk Point Airport Commission Chairman Allen Warawa, Alberta Aviation Council President Goldrick, MLA John Drobot and Master of Ceremonies Sid Holthe.
In his opening remarks, Holthe recalled the early days, when the airport site was homesteaded by Peter Keitges. He also commended the cooperation between the various levels of government in developing the much-needed airport. Mayor Buck welcomed the many visitors, and thanked the government for helping Elk Point, which is “fast becoming an exciting new voice in northeast Alberta’’, to achieve this long-desired goal. He spoke of the radio beacon which will be installed in the near future, and added that ‘‘we’re already soliciting to have the runway extended.”’
County Reeve Robert Bouchard congratulated the transportation minister and his department for perceiving the need for facilities of this sort in small communities.
Guest speaker K.C. Miller recounted the history of flying in the Elk Point area, dating back to the 1920s biplane barnstormers, who were a regular attraction at the annual fair. In later years, an airstrip was established on the golf course property, and was well used by a number of “local boys”, including Mayor Buck, Ken Palamarek and himself, who took flying lessons in the late 1960 and later purchased their own aircraft.
During the early 1970s, Town Council decided to try to get an airport established, to take the place of the makeshift strip. ‘“‘At that time,’’ he commented, ‘““we were 45th on the list,’’ but planned for the future by lining up a number of possible sites. The Airport Commission was subsequently set up and soon ‘“‘put the show on the road’’. Miller said that the people of the area “‘can be justly proud of the Commission”’ for their efforts in obtaining the facility.
Airport Commission Chairman Allen Warawa thanked his fellow members, saying that the airport “brings us a little closer... to our human destiny to fly.” Alberta Aviation Council President Goldrick commended the foresight which went into planning the airport, which he called ‘‘a definite asset” to the community. Goldrick presented Mayor Buck with a handsome commemorative plaque in honor of the occasion. MLA John Drobot introduced the Minister of Transportation, joking that Moore’s farm, construction and oilfield background should qualify him as an Elk Pointite’’.
Moore said that the Alberta Airport Development Program has resulted in the establishment of over 80 airports in Alberta since 1973. By the end of 1986, all should have paved runways, at which time the government will move into providing funding for navigational aids which will substantially increase the safety of small airports. The minister praised Elk Point’s “tremendous local input’, and commented on the worth of the airport to the local business community.
Moore later had an opportunity to meet with representatives of four major oil companies at the reception which followed the ribbon fitting ceremony. Three of the four and Mayor Buck petitioned the minister for additional runway length, while the fourth joked that “‘if it were a little wider, I could land either way.’’ Moore did not raise the hopes of the former group, saying that basic facilities would have to be provided for all airports, which could take up to five more years, before the Transportation department looks at any expansion. He suggested that the oil companies gear their aircraft fleets to “what is available to land on’’, but suggested that 500 feet of gravelled runway could possibly be established on either end for safety purposes.
A commemorative scroll from Federal Transport Minister Don Mazankowski arrived rather belatedly during the reception, and was presented to Mayor Buck by Sid Holthe. The letter accompanying the scroll extended congratulations from the federal government, and commented on the airport’s vital role in both tourism and industry.
Vermilion-Viking MLA Tom Lysons, Alberta Transportation Regional Director Henri Hetu, Wayne Steel of the Aviation Branch and District Transportation Engineer John Schroeder were also on hand for the opening.
