Pilots who fly out of Collingwood Regional Airport are concerned that wind turbines could be built nearby in Clearview Township.
A green energy company called WPD wants to build eight turbines in the area. Several of the 500 foot structures would be located inside the airports airspace.
Nearby businesses say flight procedures would need to change and that threatens commercial flying.
“It reduces our ability to attract business into the airport because they can't get in an out on days like today,” says Dave Gascoine of Genesis Aviation.
A new economic impact study commissioned by Clearview Township and the Town of Collingwood agrees. The study concluded that the turbines would be a fatal blow to the expansion potential of businesses wanting to locate in and around the airport.
According to the company proposing the turbines, the study adds nothing new to the discussions about safety or accessibility to the airport. The company's own reports show there are no safety issues.
However, Clearview's mayor says a proposed aviation business park would bring millions of dollars into Simcoe County and that should be given top priority.
“It was designated an industrial park for aviation purposes ten years ago so that was a big plan a long time ago,” says Clearview Mayor Chris Vanderkruys.
The study recommended moving the proposed turbines out of the airport’s airspace or deny the companies green energy application.
The decision rests with Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change.
