Bearing out optimistic reports made
recently by B.M. Hill, M.P., for Charlotte, that the Pennfield airbase site
would soon be accepted for development as part of the Commonwealth air training
scheme, the local member was able to announce on Saturday that the contract had
been signed. Mr. Hill left at once for Ottawa where he is securing further
particulars, expecting to return this week.
The amount to be spent at once is approximately $250,000 and
the C.H. Dexter Construction Co., of St. John has the contract. It is a rush
job, with one of the conditions being that both runways must be graded and the
east and west runway completed with tar surface by November 30.
The initial development will use an area over a mile square,
commencing at a point 4100 feet on the St. George side of the railway crossing
and running about 1600 back from the main highway. Mr. Hill stated it would be
used as an air training field and extensive buildings would be erected for
administration purposes and housing of airforce instructors, ground crew and
students on a very large scale.
Owing to the fact that this entire area is composed of gravel
running many feet in depth, all on a fairly level grade, a rush job is possible
and the contractors are adding daily to their crews.
While in Ottawa, Mr. Hill is also urging the Government to
give every consideration to the development of Letang and St. Croix waters as
the site for a proposed international harbor. He took with him maps and much
data concerning these harbors hoping to be given an opportunity to present his
case before the proper authorities.
SOURCE: The Saint Croix Courier (St. Stephen, NB) - Thursday, August 29, 1940.
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