The thing about common sense is it’s just not that common.
It is absolute common sense that the Villeneuve Airport can and should fill the void of being a regional airport once the Edmonton Municipal Airport closes. It has a lot of infrastructure already in place, including two runways, a tower, and it has been designated as the alternate airport for fixed wing air ambulance service.
Despite all of this, a couple of pilots from Parkland County, under the auspices of the Parkland Airport Development Corporation, are still pursuing a regional airport just east of Spruce Grove. They contend the Villeneuve Airport is too far removed from a major centre, the services aren’t there, and the runways won’t accommodate all of the traffic the Edmonton Municipal Airport currently handles.
We understand these pilots are trying to sell a concept, but the facts simply speak for themselves. The Villeneuve Airport is only 10 kilometres west of St. Albert and no more than a 17-minute ambulance ride to the Sturgeon Community Hospital. Increasing the main east-west runway to 5,000 feet will allow Villeneuve to handle 95 per cent of the air traffic that will utilize this airport in the foreseeable future.
Furthermore, the Villeneuve Airport is supported by Sturgeon County’s Area Structure Plan which states that the air traffic at the airport will grow as a result of regional growth in the area. The plan would expand the hamlet to cover the airport and house up to 1,800 units of housing and allow for a population growth of 5,400 over the next 20 years. The business park, located at the southeast corner of the airport lands, will accommodate a variety of commercial, industrial and aviation related industries, making it a service destination for all points north. Of course, for this to happen, piped water must be supplied to the airport. Water is currently trucked to it, which is an obvious stunt to growth.
There are several wheels in motion for the Villeneuve Airport. However, for Villeneuve to reach its obvious potential, the City of St. Albert and indeed the Capital Region Board need to get on board. The potential economic benefits to the region, and particularly St. Albert, are enormous. Becoming a service destination for the oilsands is one thing, but imagine the population growth potential that comes from easy access to the north. The capital region would become a viable alternative for people working in Fort McMurray (with big paycheques) who desire a more affordable housing.
It’s well known that the CRB has shot this plan down because of politics. However, the Villeneuve Airport is well positioned to be the region’s alternative to the Edmonton International Airport. It is common sense that the CRB reverse its decision and get on board. Let’s hope the politicians can find that uncommon common sense.
