Boyle Airport set to close

Aerodrome land owned by village is set to be redeveloped

ATHABASCA — A local airport is being closed in the interest of future opportunities in the area. Boyle Airport will officially close its doors after village council voted in favour of closure at its regular meeting Wednesday, July 15.

The village purchased the airport grounds and decided the deadline is August 30, 2026, for the airport to be completely shut down. “It is sad to see this go but, in the end, I think this opens the door for future economic development,” said Coun.

Lucille Chisan in a statement, who represents Boyle in Division 3. She said because of the airport’s grass landing strip and low usage, the expenses are too high to keep it alive. “We do have a regional county airport that can better service the whole county,” said Chisan.

The end of August deadline allows the aerodrome operator time to notify relevant agencies, cease current operations, and put in place things like barricades and gate locks to avoid the airport from being used. They do not need permission from Transport Canada to complete this action and can simply notify the agency, as it’s a registered aerodrome, not a certified one. The main concern raised in the meeting was STARS not having a place to land after it’s closed.

Village CAO Warren Griffin said there is a section of land near the airport that is not a part of the section purchased by the town and STARS can land there. “We’re still going to keep the grass down and the road accessible,” said Griffin. “We know they’re coming.”

Council also discussed the helipad they are working towards for the village and how STARS has been a part of that and will be able to access it once completed. “They were with us when it started,” said Mayor Colin Derko. “And they’ve been here to do presentations and whatever so just let them know that this doesn’t affect them and we’re actually further ahead to the permanent pad at the hospital.”

With the airport set to close, it opens the door for the future of the village and surrounding area. “The village is trying to develop and facilitate better economic development opportunities that will, in the future, attract development,” said Chisan.