Nelson Airport
The Nelson Pilots Association (NPA), in association with COPA
Flight 87 Nelson, took on the task of representing the General Aviation
community in the fight to save the Nelson Municipal Airport. Over the last year
they have spent thousands of volunteer hours both on the City Airport Lands Task
Force and making presentations to countless civic and service groups and
organizations.
They also wrote and professionally produced a video about the airport and
authored a comprehensive report, including an economic impact assessment, to be
used at every opportunity to educate the residents and City officials.
Unfortunately the City is still looking at the possibility of either selling the
airport lands or otherwise developing it. So far, the City Task Force has made
only one recommendation and that is to hire an outside consultant to evaluate
all aspects and impacts of redeveloping the airport lands.
COPA Flight 87 and the NPA are committed to continue the fight to save this
important general aviation airport and asked for COPA's help in the next phase
which they believe will include attempted changes to the Official Community
Plan, a City referendum, and finally a legal resolution.
Most of the costs associated with the promotional efforts have so far been met
by individual donations and the NPA airport fund, however much more is needed,
in particular to pay for the promotional video. At a recent COPA Board meeting,
it was agreed that the cost of the promotional video is within the guidelines of
COPA's Special Action Fund and so a $6,000 contribution will be made from the
Fund. In particular, this excellent video will be useful at other airports to
explain and promote their value to the community - availability of the video
will be announced soon.
The Special Action Fund was established in 1978 with a
goal of raising $1 million to provide financing "for the education of the
general public, legislators and government departments and officials with
respect to matters relating to general aviation and to promote, protect and
advance the interest of general aviation..."
Through COPA member contributions, the Fund was topped off in 1996 and has since
that time been financing several projects and legal defence actions from the
interest raised on the principle. There has been no need to solicit further
contributions so far.
The Economic Impact on Nelson Airport (MS Excel)
Nelson Airport Report
(MS Word)