Upgrades at the airport in Deloraine-Winchester received a very tangible vote of confidence from the Manitoba government.
On February 12, Municipal and Northern Affairs Minister Glen Simard was at the airport outside of Deloraine to announce the municipality would be receiving $1.49 million in GRO funding for the replacement of the airstrip and lights. In front of members of not only Deloraine-Winchester Council, but also Boissevain-Morton, Brenda-Waskada and Two Borders, as well as others involved in the airport, Simard explained the reasoning for the grant.
“This is a strategic investment in the safety, connectivity and long term strength of the entire southwest region,” Simard stated. “Rural communities deserve the same level of emergency access and medical support as any major centre. Upgrading the runway and lighting systems ensures year round, reliable access for medivac services, Canada Border Services, aerial surveillance, flight training and aerial application services.”
“When someone’s life is on the line, minutes matter. These upgrades will save time and potentially save lives.”
Simard added that upgrading the status of the airport from rural to regional recognizes the airport’s status as an area hub. It serves all communities the entire southwest, he said. So many aspects of the area, from agriculture, to medical services to regional trade and investment are served by upgrades.
“Communities like Deloraine-Winchester are central to the province’s economic and social fabric,” he continued. “Investments like this ensure rural communities have the infrastructure they need to thrive, infrastructure they deserve, not just for today but for decades to come.”
Simard gave kudos to local leaders for the work they did to help make this come to pass.
Deloraine-Winchester Reeve Kelly McMechan said he was grateful as well to the community for coming together to advance the project. Looking back, he thanked the local Deloraine Flying Club for putting in a paved runway many years ago, before they knew there would be farm chemicals spread by air or life flights from the area. He also gave credit to the many people, from the municipal council, to staff, to Peter Downey of the airport. McMechan added the announcement was only the start of the process, with a community meeting set for March 19 in Deloraine, in which they would kick off the fundraising for their part of the work.
The project at this point is to resurface the runway and add new lighting, although more could come in the future.
As McMechan explained prior to the official announcement, the runway needed serious work. Many years ago, in part due to the climate of the area, cracks had developed on the tarmac. Government engineers at the time said to cut out a spot two feet wide and dig it down, fill and repack it. Every spot where that was done created a dip and eventually made it a rough runway. Planes do not like using it, whether they are life flight or crop dusters. Time has come to resurface the area. This will be costly.
“It’s a big pill to swallow for a municipality,” McMechan explained. “The province has covered almost one and a half million as their start, then we will start fundraising for our part.”
He added they would be looking for help from the federal government as well as other local contributors.
McMechan said it might take time to get the work done. They have to raise some more money, and they would also like to coordinate with asphalt companies who could be in the area to work on Highway 21 so they can come and lay out the runway at the same time. There is no doubt it will be done as soon as they can, however Simard said part of the reason the province wanted to move on the funding so quickly.
“I have a lot of confidence this will happen in short order,” Simard stated.
This is because it is such a well-used airport. Air ambulance flights from STARS land there, as well as regular medical transfers, aerial crop applications and most recently, Black Hawk helicopter flights for border security refueling. Downey said they have a reputation of being a 24/7/365 airport for the area. The closest airport of this type to the west would be Estevan, to the east Morden.
“This airstrip is more than a runway. It’s a lifeline for medical transport, a gateway for agricultural and business activity, and a critical piece of infrastructure that supports safety, mobility and economic opportunity for our communities,” said McMechan. “When people talk about rural resilience, this is exactly what they mean: the ability to connect, respond and grow.”
“We feel this region is positioned to have extraordinary growth in the upcoming years, this is why we are making these investments,” Simard stated.
by PAUL RAYNER, Recorder staff