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A Brief History of YVG

1931 Vermilion set aside 175 acres for an airfield

• The grass field east of town was used by aircraft travelling to and from Edmonton
  • Used by the RCAF during and after World War II

1946 A new airport was opened in October

• East of 44^th Street and north of 48^th Ave, In the approximate location of the current Airport Subdivision
• Licensed by the Department of Transport (designated YVG)
• Two grass runways: 2800 and 2200 feet long
• Radio Range Station
  • Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) installed as navigation aid
  • Provided navigation services on a primary air route between Winnipeg, Saskatoon, and Edmonton
  • Vermilion was an important navigation hub

1976 The current airport officially opened on July 9^th

• Constructed by the Province, with labor provided by Lakeland College Trades School students
• Paved and lighted runway 3378 feet long
• DTerminal Building with Department of Transport Flight Service Station (FSS)
  • DoT staff provided communication and weather reporting service
  • Instrument landing System (ILS) runway approaches possible
  • Used by RCAF aircraft for practice approaches and landings

1980     – The Province turned the airport over to the Town at no cost.

• Town agreed to maintain the airport as required in the future

1981 DoT Aeradio service relocated to new airport at Lloydminster

1995 Runway, taxiway and apron received a 50 mm (2 inch) HMAC overlay

• The normal life expectancy of this type of overlay is 15 years, so it is well past that time

1999 Grain terminal constructed on the approach path for Runway 28

• Runway threshold was displaced approximately 1100 feet
• Severely restricted the use for instrument approaches       

2019 – The Town of Vermilion commissioned a Master Plan for the airport from Operations Economics Inc.

2019     – NavCanada decommissioned the NDB navigation aid

• NDB technology was outdated and used infrequently
• Instrument approaches no longer possible at CYVG2022

• Airport Advisory Committee presentation to Vermilion Council, County of Vermilion River and Lakeland College

2023 – Online Airport survey posted on the town website

• Two “Airport Engagement” sessions held at town hall
• Airport Survey summary posted

• “Geotechnical Investigation” commissioned.
  • See report and cost estimate.

2025 – GPS (RNAV) instrument approaches established

• Funded by Rotary Club and private donations.
• Allows for landing safely in unfavorable weather conditions
  • ceilings as low as approximately 500 feet above ground level
• Medevac and other appropriately equipped aircraft can land and takeoff more than 90% of the days in the year

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