The Town of Fort Macleod is phasing out the rental of the airport for automotive and other events.
Council approved a policy last week that limits the number of events to 36 this year, and eliminates the practice in 2025.
“I think this is the right move for our residents,” Coun. Mackenzie Hengerer said.
The airport event rental policy was on the agenda of council’s April 22 meeting at the G.R. Davis Administration Building.
Revisions to the policy follow a heated meeting with airport subdivision residents opposed to the town renting the airport for automotive events.
“I’m all for this policy,” Mayor Brent Feyter said, adding council must also take the next step. “Which means making it very clear that the Town of Fort Macleod’s airport is to be used for flying only.”
The old policy allowed for a maximum of 50 rentals.
Chief administrative officer Anthony Burdett asked council to cap it at 36 for 2024, which represents the number of bookings already in place.
“The other big change to the policy is to set an expiry on the policy itself,” Burdett said.
The policy would expire at the end of 2024, with no rentals allowed the following year.
“Ideally we could have a good, vested interest in the airport,” Feyter said.
The goal would be to promote the airport and its available lots.
“I guess the question for administration is there some form of a marketing plan being reviewed or looked at to be able to help make the most of our airport?” Feyter said.
Burdett said the town has advertised in magazines related to the aviation industry.
“I think before we get too ambitious in our advertising administration and council has to have a more concrete plan in the development of the area,” Burdett said.
Burdett noted the town sold an airport lot earlier that day, adding there is infrastructure work to be done.
Coun. Mackenzie Hengerer said she understands both sides of the discussion, having friends and family members who like to race vehicles.
Those people have appreciated the use of the Fort Macleod airport.
“On the other side I listen to our residents and I realize that I was voted into council to represent the collective of our residents,” Hengerer said.
Burdett added rental of the airport must be removed from the town’s land use by-law as well.
