District of Muskoka Council agreed to proceed with public consultation for the Muskoka Airport Project, in the October 21, 2024, meeting.

According to the agenda, last December Finance and Corporate Services Committee directed staff to proceed with efforts toward transitioning the Airport to a Municipal Services Corporation (MSC).

The District is pursuing the MSC transition “to assume responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the Muskoka District Airport,” indicates the staff report.

It adds, the MSC shares are owned by one or multiple municipalities or “public sector entities,” and municipal permission is required to operate within the allotted geographic boundaries with the support of a Board of Directors.

According to the staff report, a Business Case Study, policy adoption with an asset transfer policy, and community consultation must be in place prior to creating the Corporation.

It adds that the Business Case Study, which includes the plan to create the proposed MSC, must be shared with the community as a part of the consultation process to help inform the final plan.

CAO, Julie Stevens, advised that the community consultation will include surveys will be one of the tools staff uses that is “meant to be quick and educative.” This consultation will be for 30 days and will be reflected in the final staff report.

A focus group will also be held for feedback from airport users, such as pilots, tenants, businesses, and stakeholders.

According to the report, the final Plan will also outline the immediate and long-term goals, including the expenses and revenue anticipated for the Airport.

It adds that transitioning the Airport to a MSC will provide benefits such as faster decision making, streamlined communication and engagement, increased revenue, and additional financing opportunities outside of the District.

It continues, “The District will ensure that its long-term interests are protected, while also ensuring that the Airport MSC has the necessary independence and flexibility to manage the Airport in an efficient, effective, and business-like way – with a goal of increasing Airport revenue, reducing property tax funding requirements and increasing the Airport’s overall economic impact.”

Public consultation will run from October until late November, the focus groups will run from mid to late November, and staff will report back to Council with the results of the consultation and the final Business Case Study in the first quarter of 2025 for approval to create the MSC.