Aviation View | Volume 2, Issue 1

147 AVIATION VIEW VOLUME 2, ISSUE 1 Another way in which the airfield works with the community is by a close relationship with Tourism Fort St. John; being part of the conversations and planning, and part of the passive advertising – offering pamphlets, posters, and other promotional material on-site to try and build tourism. The area is well known for hunting, fishing, hiking, and cross-country skiing – in essence, tourism is mostly about outdoor activity. “There is a bi-annual air show as well,” Karsseboom adds, “but the last one was in 2017. There were plans in place to do a 2020 show, but that fell through because of the pandemic. We are working on bringing that back and I work with that board, as well as an ex officio member, to make sure that the airport’s interests are being upheld.” Another interesting source of revenue for the airport is a new 5G tower that is being erected on the property, with much consultation as to frequency, potential issues in terms of the airport’s telecommunications, and buffer zones. The airport has signed a memorandum of agreement with one of the major telecommunications companies that includes lessening any potential impact. “I guess moving forward one the biggest things for us renewing aging infrastructure over the next five years,” Karsseboom concludes. “Our primary IFR runway is going to need restoration within the next five years and I would also like to upgrade it to LED lighting like the other runway. I think we also need to be looking at implementing an airport development plan, including a commercial development plan. In the next five years, I would like to provide a better facility for our maintenance staff, who are running right now out of very old Transport Canada buildings. Then there are some other things on the books like a central de-icing facility… when we start seeing travel pick up again, we will be able to begin work on these projects and continue to improve the services we offer.” NORTH PEACE REGIONAL A I RPORT