The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Halton airport could benefit from Buttonville closure By Tim Foran METROLAND WEST MEDIA GROUP 11 · Friday, June 4, 2010 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com The likely closure of Buttonville Airport in Markham could be a boon for the Burlington Air Park, a representative of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority told Halton Regional council Wednesday morning. "There's enormous opportunity there," Toby Lennox, the GTAA's vice-president of corporate affairs, said in response to a question from Burlington Mayor Cam Jackson. "There is a dearth in Canada of (aviation) training, of flight schools, of mechanics, all of that stuff," he explained. Lennox said the GTAA has spoken to the private owners of the Burlington Air Park, but he clarified there is currently no relationship between the two sides. Last spring, the GTAA, which operates Pearson Airport, announced it planned to stop providing Buttonville with a $1.5 million subsidy. The Sifton family, owners of Buttonville, subsequently announced they intended to develop the airport lands, valued at $100 to $150 million, into a business park over the next six years, according to newspaper reports. Buttonville, which employs 300 people and houses 300 aircraft, is one of Canada's ten busiest airports. "We feel (Buttonville's) traffic can be accommodated elsewhere," said Lennox, though he noted much of the aircraft that use the Markham facility can't fly out of Pearson. Earlier in the council session, Lennox said the GTAA has submitted a needs assessment for air traffic growth to Transport Canada, a highly-awaited document by Durham residents eager to find out if the GTAA will recommend the federal government go ahead with the long-proposed Pickering airport. However, Lennox said the decision on the Pickering Airport will be made by Transport Canada and he is not allowed to divulge information included in the needs assessment study. If Buttonville closes and there is no airport built in Pickering, Burlington Air Park will be the last remaining air park in the GTA, Jackson pointed out. It is also outside of Pearson's designated air traffic area, meaning arrivals and departures at Burlington wouldn't interfere with aircraft heading to the Malton airport, he added. Located on Bell School Line south of Britannia Road, the Burlington Air Park is close to thousands of acres of land Halton council set aside for employment areas in its most recent official plan update in December. While some of those lands are located in Oakville and Burlington on the south side of Highway. 407, the vast majority are in a large swath of land in Milton stretching from the air park to Regional Road 25, between Britannia Road and Lower Base Line, much of it owned by CN Railway. According to information on its website www.burlingtonairpark.com, the airport is building 20 new hangars suitable for single and light twin general aviation aircraft though it also wants to move into commercial aviation and become Halton's regional airport. Jackson said the possibility of executive air travel would benefit Halton's attempt to attract blue chip corporations including those in the biomedical, pharmaceutical and financial services area. He also agreed with Lennox that teach- ing flying and aviation mechanics are areas of opportunity for the Burlington Air Park. "It's a huge opportunity," said Jackson. Asked if there might be concerns from nearby residents about the possible growth in air traffic, Jackson responded: "Of course there will be but then the air park's been there a number of years and again it's federally (not municipally) regulated." However, he said the airfield is too small for passenger aircraft and not nearly the size of Toronto's island airport. "That can never happen because there isn't the land there," Jackson said. Escape to paradise It's in your nature Iris and Peony Celebration Saturday and Sunday, June 5 and 6; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Laking Garden Explore the iris and peony collections, Explore the iris and peony collections, perennial borders, Barbara Laking Heritage Garden and the hosta walk. g Enjoy live music, guided tours, Discovery Enjoy live music guided tours Discovery Cart, activities for the kids and more. Tranquil Tuesdays q y Tuesdays, June and July; 6 to 8:30 p.m.; Hendrie Park 8:3 :30 m ; Hendrie Park ndri Live classical music in the garden. Admission applies Members': $5/night Admission applies. Members : $5/night, RBG Member's Music Passport: $32.25 Rose Celebration Rose Celebration Saturdays and Sundays, t d d d June 19, 20, 26 and 27, July 3 and 4; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Hendrie Park Celebrate the classical beauty of the y Gardens' acres of roses in full bloom. Enjoy activities for the kids, garden tours, and explore the Discovery Cart. BECOME A MEMBER Memberships has many benefits. Buy or renew at www.rbg.ca DAILY ADMISSION -- Adult: $12.50; Senior/Student: $9.50; Child (age 5 to 12): $7.25; Family: $32.25; Child under age 5 and RBG members: FREE RBG Centre 680 Plains Road West, Hamilton/Burlington 905-527-1158