Deer fencing to improve Kenora Airport safety
By Reg Clayton
| Kenora MP Greg Rickford is joined by Kenora Airport Authority directors and airport staff for Monday s funding announcement of an Airport Capital Assistance Program grant of $775,744 for security fencing to keep deer off airport runways. Pictured from L–R: Kenora Airport manager Mike Zrobac, Don McMillan, Dave Canfield, Don McDougald, Greg Rickford MP, Berndt Richardt, Coun. Dave McCann, Kenora Airport Authority chairman Rick Lovelace and Terry Hawkins. |
A major safety initiative to keep deer off runways and taxi ways at Kenora Airport is proceeding with federal funding awarded through Transport Canada's Airport Capital Assistance Program.
Kenora MP Greg Rickford announced on Monday that $775,744 is being allocated through the program to install wildlife control fencing around the perimeter of the airport.
"A deer strike has already occurred, causing substantial damage to an airplane and there have been other instances," commented Rickford, who was joined by Kenora Airport Authority officials and airport staff for Monday's announcement.
Rickford was referring to the June 2005 incident in which a King Air air ambulance collided with a deer on the runway during take-off of an early morning medevac flight to Winnipeg. There were no human injuries resulting from the collision although the aircraft sustained more than $100,000 in damage.
The airport authority and management has pursued government funding for the fencing ever since the incident.
"We've tried everything to eliminate deer from the airport but there's too many of them, fencing is the only way to go," confirmed Kenora Airport manager Mike Zroback. "It should eliminate the deer issues of the past few years. It's a major safety issue and we're happy with the announcement."
He noted although there hasn't been a serious accident since the collision, there have been numerous incidents of pilots aborting take-offs and performing overflights prior to landing due to deer crossing the runways.
"It's only a matter of time," he said.
Zroback anticipates the fence installation will proceed as soon as possible with completion before winter. He explained the fencing will extend around the airport property with a combination of chain link and game fence to a height of 10 feet, topped with barb wire. Approximately six swing gates will be installed in the fencing to allow emergency vehicles to access the airport from all directions. Three or four 'man' gates will also provide access to the property by airport staff.
Kenora Airport Authority chairman Rick Lovelace regards the fencing project as an improvement to the airport facility that also enhances security.
"We operate with a wildlife management plan approved by Transport Canada," Lovelace said. "The biggest issue is with wildlife. The fencing will keep deer out and it's a major enhancement, it improves airport security and takes us one step closer to having a secure airport facility."
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He noted the improvements factor into ongoing development plans to improve and modernize airport operations to provide air travellers with more and better services in the future. Improved aircraft fueling capabilities, fixed based operations for executive jets and a new terminal building incorporating Canada Customs are top priorities.
"A new terminal building is a priority but it takes a lot of grant money from various levels of government," he said. "It's dependent on building up business at the airport. Tourism is a major component but the economy has to improve. We're taking a 'wait and see' attitude."
