Georgian Bluffs says the Wiarton Keppel International Airport has officially been sold.
It has been bought by Clayton Smith for $2.6 Million dollars. While the sale had been announced back in November, the buyer had not been revealed until the deal closed today.
Smith has also purchased the Owen Sound Billy Bishop Regional Airport for $1.5 million. That deal closed on Friday, December 10th and included current agreements with hangar leases and Owen Sound Flight Services.
Georgian Bluffs began the process to sell the airport on Grey Road 1, between Oxenden and Wiarton in September of 2021.
A release from the Township says there was “Great interest received in ownership of the facility.”
It says moving through evaluation criteria, and considering the impact of the sale and ownership parties to the community
as a whole, Smith and his team were selected as the successful party.
Smith is a member of the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association who has experience in airport ownership and operations. He also owns Lake St. John Airport and Float Plane Base in Orillia and Georgian Bay Airways, a float plane service in Parry Sound.
Smith says in a statement, “The Township of Georgian Bluffs created a very competitive, professional environment for the disposition of their airport lands and infrastructure. We feel very fortunate to have been selected as the custodian and operator of this very important community asset. As an experienced airport operator, aviation business owner and pilot, I know firsthand the challenges the Township faced but also the unique potential this property has to offer. With substantial capital investments, we can restore, revive and expand the Wiarton Keppel Airport while protecting this important transportation link,
for all members of the community. We look forward to working with this Council and to bring enhancements to this community and Region”.
Mayor Dwight Burley says in a statement, “Council and the Township are very excited to welcome Mr. Smith and his
team to the community. We anticipate a successful relationship moving forward, and a successful transition to maintain this important asset for our local and regional community.”
Georgian Bluffs purchased the property and its facilities from South Bruce Peninsula in 2015 for $600,000. Council declared the airport surplus in September.
In October, Georgian Bluffs’ Director of Finance Kassandra Rocca told councillors the township has spent about $2.4-million of taxpayers funds for operating and capital expenses since it took over ownership of it.
Rocca also estimated selling the airport could result in at least $8.7-million in cost savings for Georgian Bluffs over the next five years including an estimated $6-million capital investment required to replace the runway and the runway lights.
The Township says staff will present a report with further details at a Council meeting in the New Year.