Nothing says “neglect” like a dilapidated sign

The faded sign at the entrance to the airport poorly represented the town and the airport.

It was barely readable in bright sunlight.

No Budget

The Airport Advisory Committee pointed out to the town administration that refreshing the airport sign was long overdue.

The Director of Infrastructure and Planning Services, responsible for airport maintenance, said no funds were in the budget. Budget allocation for sign refurbishment would be included in the upcoming 2024 budget deliberations.

Vermilion River Flying Club

The Flying Club, with under 20 active members, chose not to wait.
They voted to raise the funds needed and to replace the sign.

Corporate donors contributed:

• Balairus Fuels
• Hancraft Aero
• Rusylvia Transport

Individual Flying Club members made personal donations.

Club members took down the old sign and sent it to Decals and Signs Obsessions in Vermilion.

The town CAO approved the proof of the new sign. When the new sign was ready, town maintenance staff supplied new pressure treated 2×6’s and re-hung the sign.

Relic from the past resurfaces

In the midst of this process, local farmer and pilot Jim Mead announced he was in possession of an even older version of the airport sign.

It had been destined for the destruction, but Jim had rescued it and stored it in a barn for many years.

That older sign is now proudly hanging in the shop at Hancraft Aero, the airside aircraft engineering business at the airport.

A 2012 version found on Google Maps