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
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
'He's in our hearts': Family and friends still seek answers one year after Nathan Wise’s disappearance
It’s been a year since Nathan Wise went missing and his family is no closer to finding out what happened to him.
Ottawa pizzeria places among top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world at international competition
An Ottawa pizzeria is being recognized as one of the top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world.
Canada Post cracks down on Nunavut loophole to get free Amazon Prime shipping
Amazon's paid subscription service provides free delivery for online shopping across Canada except for remote locations, the company said in an email. While customers in Iqaluit qualify for the offer, all other communities in Nunavut are excluded.
Mother's Day movies that pull at ALL the heartstrings
This Mother's Day Weekend, take a look at some of the most emotional movies inspired by moms.
Suspect sought after fatal slashing in downtown Toronto
Police are searching for a suspect in a homicide investigation after a man was slashed in downtown Toronto on Sunday.
Edibles, armchairs and adapters: Here are the recalls for this week
Health Canada announced various product recalls this week, including electric adapters, armchairs, cannabis edibles and vehicle components.
Putin replaces Russian defence minister in rare cabinet shakeup
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin began a Cabinet shakeup on Sunday, proposing the replacement of Sergei Shoigu as defence minister as he begins his fifth term in office.
WATCH Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.