Work To Begin This Summer

The Halifax/Shearwater Airport -- also known as Canadian Forces Base Shearwater -- in Halifax, Nova Scotia is scheduled for some major renovation this year. Old runways are going to be torn up to make way for a new $24 million helicopter landing pad.

Crews will try and salvage what they can, but "the whole place needs an upgrade," says Lt. Col. Brian Neyedli, director of the $24 Million Shearwater Heliport Conversion Project. "We're trying to reuse what we can, but of course it has to be up to standards."

Bids for the construction work close May 3. The winning company will be responsible for converting an existing taxiway and runway into a helicopter landing area, installing new approach lighting and constructing helicopter training areas, according to the Halifax Daily News.

The new landing pad will house 19 of the 28 new Cyclone helicopters Canada's  Department of National Defense will take delivery on beginning in January 2009. The remaining nine will be assigned to Victoria, B.C.'s Pat Bay. Aging Sea Kings will begin their retirement once the new helicopters are purchased with full fleet retirement by 2012.

"We've been trying to progress the process as quickly as we can," Neyedli said. "There is certainly no intent to dawdle."

City officials plan to meet with Canada Lands and DND officials to ensure the construction of connector road will remain a priority, and any changes in the DND's operational requirements will not prevent its construction.

Residents need a connector road to allow access to the Circumferential Highway to eliminate the need to take a longer route to home, schools and shopping that are now accessible only by one "meandering" bus route.

In July of 2006, the Canada Land Company acquired the 584-acre surplus parcel of the Shearwater base land from DND. It has requested proposals to help prepare a development plan for the land and there's likely to be some residential development on the site as well.

A city council report tabled at la meeting last week recommended "public consultation be an immediate priority."

FMI: http://bathursted.ccnb.nb.ca/vatcan/fir/moncton/CYAW.html