INNISFAIL – With air ambulances soon to land on the upgraded Innisfail Heliport, the Town of Innisfail is proposing that the citizen who made the cherished local facility a reality almost 35 years ago be properly honoured.
At town council’s Agenda & Priorities Meeting on Nov. 7, a plan was put forward by administration to create a special commemorative plaque for the late Bob Newman; a former president of the Rotary Club of Innisfail who is credited for spearheading the original heliport project in the late 1990s.
Newman passed away in 2019 at the age of 86.
“Bob spearheaded getting the heliport into Innisfail,” said Town of Innisfail Mayor Jean Barclay, emphasizing there were other contributors, and it was not a project that was solely carried out by Rotary. “My understanding is that Bob was very important to getting that (heliport) off the ground and he continued to be an avid supporter and advocate for STARS for many, many years.”
Council was presented with an administration report that stated the existing plaque at the site was lost and there was a need to have it replaced for the upgraded Innisfail Heliport.
The site, which has been under construction for several months in 2022 at a total cost of about $641,541, is expected to be operational soon. The town is awaiting final approval from Transports Canada’s documentation review and final inspection.
Erica Vickers, the town’s director of corporate affairs, said since it became known the original plaque was lost the town received a request to include a recognition to Newman for his involvement in the development and construction of the original heliport.
The administration report included design options to replace the original plaque, including one with a statement at the bottom of either the Rotary or town plaques that would recognize Newman’s original heliport project contributions.
The second option advanced was a separate plaque with the same statement and possible picture.
Council was told the plaques can be built in either bronze or aluminum. However, the cost of bronze would be 50 per cent more than aluminum.
The report, authored by Steven Kennedy, director of operational services, said the approximate cost for both plaques and posts would be $5,000, with funding coming from the town’s General Capital Reserve.
Vickers told council the town has received project donations from the Knee Hill Valley 4-H Beef Club and the Rotary Club of Innisfail.
Although the proposal is in its early stages and no approvals have yet been made, several councillors said they preferred the plaque be made with bronze.
“I think (bronze) looks better, especially when we are recognizing individuals in our community,” said Coun. Jason Heistad. “I think it's class here. They last longer.”
Coun. Gavin Bates said he hoped the final choice would be theft-proof.
Coun. Cindy Messaros noted that the content on the plaque design options appeared “crowded” and asked whether it could be made larger.
Vickers said she would reach out to see if the content can be made to a larger size but cautioned it could increase the overall cost.
Council approved a motion to accept the proposal as information.
Staff will now take the information received from council and return at a later date with an improved plaque plan for the Innisfail Heliport.
