DISTRICT OF SECHELT

District of Sechelt
Minutes – Airport Development Advisory Committee Meeting Page 4 of 5
July 24, 2012
Airport Lands Subdivision Update
In discussion it was noted that:
to facilitate septic perk testing, Engineering has flagged the corner posts of the
lot and Publics Works will be clearing brush;
hydro and gas hookups for the subdivision need to be investigated;
a section of the initial proposed lot layout may incur high servicing costs;
the proposed lot size may be too large for what is sellable today, and that a
variety of lot sizes could be designed;
based on the current market for bare land leases, a lease rate of $0.25 per sq. ft.
could be a good starting point;
potential builders may find financing difficult to obtain, and the federal reverter
clause attached to the property may dissuade some bankers. Discussions with
potential bankers might be worthwhile. An application to Transport Canada to lift
the reverter clause could be made, or at least to obtain a comfort letter;
that a clear indication (including budget) to the public that the Sechelt Airport will
be developed/upgraded would help to attract quality tenants, especially those
within the aviation sector;
the Committee should further the business case and minimize obstacles to the
development;
the St. Mary’s Hospital emergency services coordinator is encouraged about the
possibility of fixed wing medevac services to the Sechelt community. The hospital
has been recently using the Sechelt Airport due to the hospital’s helipad being
non-operational. There may be challenges to obtaining helipad certification. A
proposal to the Ministry of Health to provide funding for the airport improvements
could be made in light of the financial advantages to the Healthcare system of
operating fixed wing rather than helicopter services to the Sunshine Coast.
The Committee requested that survey detail for all the airport buildings as well as
information about the current leases at the Sechelt Airport be provided at the next
Committee meeting.
The Committee requested that the existing federal reverter clause on the property be
emailed to the Committee members.
Business Plan
In discussion it was noted that:
a 4,000 ft runway would attract buyers and renters;
a phased approach be proposed to Council, with a Phase 1 cost of $4 million, not
including apron improvements (to be addressed in a subsequent phase);
the cost estimates would be based on Associated Engineering’s proposal of
October 2009.
District of Sechelt
Regular Council Meeting Agenda
August 1, 2012
Page 28