Ontario airport to shutdown as Cadillac Fairview eyes plans to develop
An Ontario airport announced it is planning on shutting down as its landowner explores redeveloping the grounds north of Toronto.
Toronto Buttonville Municipal Airport informed staff and tenants in a letter on Wednesday that the privately-owned travel hub in Markham, Ont., is scheduled to cease operations on Nov. 30.
Since 2010, the airport has been operating under a land lease with commercial real estate company Cadillac Fairview, president of Million Air Toronto and Torontoair Ltd. Derek Smith wrote, which has owned and operated Buttonville since 1963.
Buttonville Airport began in 1953 as a grass airstrip and became an official airport in 1962. It currently services corporate and other small passenger flights, and is home to over 300 flying clubs, according to the City of Markham.
“(It) has now reached its natural expiry, and they may look to redevelop the airport site at some time in the future,” Smith said.
Rumours of the airport closing have circulated for decades
In 2009, the airport was on the brink of closure after losing a $1.5 million annual contract.
Then, when Cadillac Fairview purchased the land, it had originally intended to redevelop the 170-acres to create the equivalent of a new town. But the airport remained.
“Cadillac Fairview has always envisioned plans for redevelopment,” Janine Ramparas with Cadillac Fairview said in a statement on Thursday. “The natural expiry of the airport lease is a part of this process and we look forward to providing further details when available.”
Concluding his letter, Smith said it’s been a pleasure to develop the airport into one of Canada’s largest privately-owned airports for decades.
“I wish you all the best and thank you for your contributions on this epic journey.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
Blind Sask. boy heading to international braille competition hopes to increase accessibility for visually impaired
A Saskatchewan boy who qualified for an international braille competition in Los Angeles next month hopes he can inspire change in his home province.
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Steve Albini, legendary producer for Nirvana, the Pixies and an alternative rock pioneer, dies at 61
Steve Albini, an alternative rock pioneer and legendary producer who shaped the musical landscape through his work with Nirvana, the Pixies, PJ Harvey and more, has died. He was 61.