Driveway for Aero Club

A new driveway will be installed after South Canterbury Aero Club members raised concerns new entry and exit barriers could discourage potential new flying students.

Members of the club raised concerns with the Timaru District Council about new entry and exit barriers, which are being installed as part of the airport’s $1.3 million upgrade, two weeks ago.

They were also concerned students using the car park could be charged a fee if they had to use the public access points. As a result, the council and club have agreed to a work and cost share agreement, allowing the club to create its own $12,000 driveway.

Club president Paul Hogenesch said on Thursday he was pleased with the result, which had been a good outcome for both parties. The club wanted to allow students, who wanted to learn how to fly, to be able to access its six parking spaces when needed.

He was worried potential new students, who might want to drive out to the club to have a look, could be discouraged at the sight of the physical barriers. It took ‘‘guts’’ for someone to want to learn to fly a plane, Hogenesch said.

A student might have to pay a $5 parking fee if they were over the time limit if they had to use the same entry and exit point. However, Hogenesch said while the parking charge was a factor, it was more to do with discouraging potential new students.

The club had agreed to fund and lay the foundations for the new driveway, while the council would fund the rest, he said. The new driveway would connect from Melhopt Ave, alongside the club, to the car park.

Council infrastructure services group manager Ashley Harper said the council would take care of any curb, channel, and surfacing work.

Combined costs for the work would be about $12,000, with each party paying approximately half each.