The fate of Humboldt’s airport (aka aerodrome) was up for debate at the regular meeting of Humboldt City Council on Monday, May 28.
In a brief prepared for council, the City’s Public Works Director Peter Bergquist notes that prioritizing funding to sustain public operation of the aerodrome has been a challenge over the last decade. The current condition demands an infusion of dollars to bring it up to expected standards for public use.
A feasibility study conducted by the city revealed the lack of passenger traffic, use of helicopters which can land at the hospital for medical transport, and the need for over $2 million dollars of investment to maintain it for public use.
Following an effort to secure regional municipal support with no success, the City administration made the recommendation to divest itself of the airport in favour of selling it to a private operator. A request for proposal (RFP) went out on February 24, 2025.
Based on a ranked set of criteria, Clayton Air Services was selected by the City as a recommended purchaser. Clayton Air has been flying out of Humboldt’s airport for 10 years providing aviation and agricultural services to the area. The proposed cost of the property and its City owned chattel is $750,000.
Representatives from various groups attended the Council meeting to express their concern about the proposal for sale to a private entity. Terry Rohrke on behalf of a group representing flight training interests.
Rohrke represented an impressive group of pilots, both commercial and private, who have come through some initial training at Humboldt airport. Rohrke emphasized the importance of developing skilled pilots, and many local pilots were in the gallery as part of the delegation. Rohrke gave a thorough accounting of Humboldt airport’s (designated CJU4) ongoing importance in interprovincial flight training.
“I’ve heard it said that Humboldt’s airport is too close to Saskatoon to be economically viable,” Rohrke stated on behalf of the group. “That is false and short-sighted thinking. Humboldt’s proximity to Saskatoon can work in our favour. The expense of operating an airplane out of Saskatoon is not insignificant; hangar space at the Saskatoon airport is very limited and cost prohibitive.”
Rohrke provided the example of Birch Hills with a thriving aerodrome, flight schools and an aircraft maintenance business, all made viable because of its proximity to Prince Albert. Rohrke suggested the government community airport program (CAP) be accessed, as it was in 2019. He also presented a letter of support from the president of the Saskatchewan Aviation Council.
Jeffery Pylatuik spoke on behalf of the Humboldt Flying Club with their concerns that the proposed ownership by Clayton Services would allow for public access only with permission and allowed only for a seven-year term of operation which won’t guarantee long term stability. The recommendation would prohibit competing business or services from operating at the site. The group insisted that ownership and operation should remain with local interests and create an environment that’s open and accessible to users and business interests.
In terms of fundraising to maintain that local ownership and governance, Pylatuik suggested that he had communicated with “large industry players in the area that are willing to commit.”
Kyle Ollerich of Ollerich Farms, one of the RFP respondents expressed his concern with the recommendation to sell to an outside interest.
Clayton Rempel of Clayton Air spoke as the successful applicant and explained that he did understand the drive to maintain a locally administrated airport. However, the ongoing uncertainty with the condition of the facility led him to put in a proposal given that an airport in functional condition is critical to his business. He expressed concern about the increased commercial use of the airport for spraying and the congestion that’s ensued.
“It’s not ideal for any of us, and we’re kind of just making it work,” Rempel explained, while expressing some disappointment that he was being viewed as the ‘bad guy.’ “I’m just trying to create some stability for my business.”
In the end, given the need for approximately $25,000 for runway repairs and the need to arrive at solutions, Council agreed to postpone any decision until the June meeting of Council. The time is to allow the City’s administration to gather more information about the rehabilitation of the airport and the potential consequences of any sale of the land.