Snowbirds to soar for city airport milestone
Two shows scheduled for 50th anniversary in September
The Snowbirds are coming to Peterborough next September to mark the 50th anniversary of the Peterborough airport.
It’s been 15 years since the precision flying team has performed dazzling manoeuvres over the skies above the city, and Ken MacLennan is planning to be there to watch.
MacLennan, 85, who now lives in Belleville, was the first manager of the Peterborough Municipal Airport back in the 1960s when it looked much different than it does today.
In 50 years the airport has grown considerably and now boasts the largest civil runway between Ottawa and Toronto. It’s also home to 23 businesses, employing more than 500 people.
“It’s been my vision of this place for 50 years to see it like this,” said MacLennan, during a news conference at the airport on Wednesday (Dec. 5).
Quite humble, MacLennan was reluctant to say it was he who first had the vision to grow the airport into the economic driver it’s become for the Peterborough region. Annually, the Peterborough airport generates more than $74 million in growth domestic product to the region.
“And I’m absolutely proud of what’s been done,” said MacLennan.
He was first hired in 1964 by then-airport owner Harry Oakman. In the late 1950s, Oakman began developing a private airport with two grass runways and limited facilities which were used occasionally by private and business aircraft owners.
In 1964, Oakman had entered into an agreement with the city to maintain the airport that included an offer to purchase.
That’s when MacLennan was brought in to manage the airport operations, which included at times shovelling parts of the runway by hand.
“We didn’t have a blower or anything. We had one plow with a wing on it which plowed the runway out to the lights, but to get the lights so they would show we had to shovel the snow around,” said MacLennan.
The city purchased the airport in 1967. That led to the paving of the runway and construction of the original airport terminal. Both milestones were celebrated during the official opening of the Peterborough Municipal Airport on Sept. 21, 1969.
Now 50 years later to the day, local airport administrators will celebrate the anniversary with the Snowbirds headlining the air show event.
“We are excited to mark the 50th anniversary by presenting the Canadian Forces Snowbirds to the public that has supported the airport over the past half century,” said Trent Gervais, general manager of the Peterborough airport.
He added he’s proud to have played a role in the airport’s growth since starting there in 2007. That was before the airport moved into its next expansion phase, which included a larger runway and more buildings to support businesses.
“When I started in 2007 before we went into the next expansion … it had some industrial businesses, but nothing like we see today,” said Gervais.
He added he’s looking forward to celebrating the airport’s milestone with the air shows scheduled for Sept. 21 and 22. The weekend will feature additional aerial demonstrations, static aircraft displays, local food vendors and activities for kids.
In addition, Gervais said the airport will host a fundraising gala dinner to mark the occasion with proceeds going to a local charity.
“We really want to pay tribute to those pioneers who have been a big part of this airport,” said Gervais.
Tickets for the 50th anniversary air show will be available in the new year. Gervais said only a limited number of tickets will be available for each show.