LETHBRIDGE, AB – A lengthy conversation in Council Chambers Tuesday on the most suitable governance model for the Lethbridge Airport.
Council heard a presentation on the newly updated YQL Business Plan and voted 7-1 in favour of continuing to manage the airport as a City of Lethbridge Department.
Mayor Chris Spearman says YQL is vital to the economic development, prosperity and tourism of Lethbridge and the entire region.
He says it’s an economic catalyst . “We’re in unusual times but I’m optimistic that we’ll come out of those unusual times and business will return. Having a viable airport adds to our reputation when we’re looking at potential investors flying into our city.”
Other governance models will be revisited once the Lethbridge Airport reaches key triggers of two consecutive years of $500,000 net operating profit and more than 150,000 annual passengers.
Councillor Joe Mauro was the lone vote opposed to the resolution, saying he’d rather go “full steam ahead” with an airport authority or some other form of governance with “players that play in the game 24-7.”
He adds “we’re pumping a lot of money into it, we all believe it’s a valuable asset and very important in our community and southern Alberta.”
While the YQL management team will remain as is, with the Airport Manager reporting to the Director of Corporate and Customer Services, part of Tuesday’s approval did include the dissolution of the City’s Airport Committee.