The Rimbey airport is up for sale, but bids are not exactly pouring in from interested buyers.
As of Aug. 10, Rimbey’s CAO Lori Hillis said no bids had been received.
However, Gerald Ernst, one of four men who had wanted to purchase the airport initially said the group would submit a bid.
“We are submitting a tender,” he said.
Council made the decision to move toward the sale of the Rimbey Airport following an in-camera discussion at its regular council meeting, July 25. They have set a reserve bid on the property which has been assessed at $104,600.
A few months ago, Pete Couchman, Paul Kusch, Wayne Danser and Gerald Ernst put in an offer to purchase the airport to the town, but acting CAO Donna Tona said there is a process to follow regarding the sale of the airport.
According to the MGA, Tona said town owned land needs to be appraised and advertised and put out for bids, which must be sealed and delivered to the town.
The Rimbey airport was originally owned by Ponoka County and sold to the Town of Rimbey for $1, but Tona said because it was a sale of land belonging to one municipality being sold to another municipality, the same process wasn’t required.
Ernst said the men who put in the offer, himself included, are all concerned about the continued decline in the quality and usability of the Rimbey airport.
The men want to bring the airport and runway conditions back to its original state.
“We want the airport to be a vibrant asset for the community and we want people to congratulate the town of Rimbey on the quality of the facility in their community,” said Ernst.
Rimbey airport is one of hundreds of airports Transport Canada constructed and owned across Canada. All of these airports with the exception of Churchill airport, were signed over the local jurisdictions, flying clubs and various municipalities and associations without financial return to Transport Canada.
In the public notice of sale of land for the Rimbey airport it states that the parcel of land which is approximately 60 acres must remain an airport and purchasers must create an airport authority.
If no offer is received on the property or it the reserve bid is not met, the property will not be sold.
The town of Rimbey will register a caveat on title to have first right o refusal to purchase at current market value.
Sealed bids, containing the prescribed form and a deposit in the form of a bank draft will be received until 4:30 p.m. Aug. 17.
The highest bid or any other bid will not necessarily be accepted.