Trail around Victoria airport nears completion

VICTORIA — Construction of a recreational trail circling the perimeter of Victoria International Airport is expected to be completed by mid-September, says airport CEO Geoff Dickson.

“There are wonderful vistas,” Dickson said, citing ocean and mountain views along the paved 9.3-kilometre route called Flight Path. And for aviation buffs, there’s also the sight of aircraft coming and going.

Work on the multi-use trail, suitable for cyclists, joggers and walkers, began in 2008 and has been completed in stages. For access, there’s parking at regular intervals along the trail.

Funded by the Victoria Airport Authority, the route passes by Patricia Bay, a couple of creeks, the federal government’s Institute of Ocean Sciences research centre, the B.C. Aviation Museum, aircraft products manufacturer Viking Air and the home base for the Defence Department’s 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron.

Dickson suggests people coming to the airport “check in a few hours early and get out for a walk.” He said he’s not sure a similar airport trail exists anywhere.

“We’re actually trying to find out if we are the only airport in the world providing this kind of trail. If it’s not the only one, we think it’s certainly the longest, at 9.3 kilometres.”