News - Stephenville International Airport

Coun. Darlene Oake said the provincial government needs to be reminded of the importance of supporting Stephenville airport.

At the regular general meeting of the Stephenville town council on Thursday she distributed a press release issued by the Department of Natural Resources entitled “Oil and Gas Study Assists in Identifying Opportunities in Western Region.”

The study outlines how the community, industry and government can support the development and growth of an oil and gas sector on the west coast.

“Infrastructure and Supply and Service Requirements and Opportunities for Oil and Gas Industry: Western Newfoundland” is the result of a partnership between the Department of Natural Resources and the Greater Corner Brook Board of Trade. It contains nine broad recommendations to assist the region in supporting future potential development in the short to long term.

The recommendation that peaked Oake’s interest was to maintain and upgrade infrastructure specific to the needs of potential hydrocarbon projects, including wharves and air facilities at Corner Brook and Stephenville.

She said with this in mind, Stephenville should remind the provincial government of the need for supporting the airport, especially now the business plan for the airport has been completed.

Mayor Tom O’Brien said the town manager could send off a letter in that regard. He also had an interest in another recommendation in the report that talked about facilitating the training of local residents to help meet the demand for skills in this emerging oil and gas sector.

O’Brien feels that could be an opportunity for College of the North Atlantic.