Abbotsford Airport Magazine

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Conair's $50 million Abbotsford expansion
By Jerry W. Bird..

On Wing Span's Magazine's news desk is a drawing by Reed Crowther Engineering, of a complex that signals a major breakthrough for Abbotsford Airport, the Fraser Valley, British Columbia and Western Canada. It depicts Conair's $50 million expansion program on the airport's east side; one that has sparked an air of excitement in BC's aviation and business communities. The mood is infectious-- and this dramatic move comes at the most opportune time, giving a shot in the arm to the economy and providing a substantial job base. Conair's expanded facilities at Abbotsford will spawn a whole range of related businesses.

Barry Marsden, Conair's President and CEO summed it up when he said, "The commercial aircraft maintenance market is a huge $20 billion US a year, and we have the right location, right timing, skilled people and the reputation to create the critical mass that's needed to attain a significant larger market share." While waiting to see Mr. Marsden, we shared the coffee room in Hangar 2 with a group of some 20 new recruits, whose eager young faces and exuberance reflected what was happening at this moment, and would occur on a grander scale in the months ahead. While touring the tarmac area we passed a group of young pilot trainees earning their wings at Pacific Coastal Aviation. It was like my airforce days all over again. Yes, at Abbotsford, there really is excitement in the air.

As big as a Football Stadium
By the time Conair's new 250,000 square foot east hangar reaches full capacity, Conair will have hired up to 800 more high tech employees, plus support and office staff. Capable of holding eight Boeing 737 commercial jets at any given time, the new complex rivals a CFL football stadium in size with its 430' roof span. For those familiar with the Abbotsford Airport, it will be built at the east end of the airport near Townline Road.

More good news is the fact that the company plans to keep all of its present property, including four hangers with a combined total of 180,000 square feet.

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