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Flight museum clears hurdle on path to new, larger facility

Agricultural Land Commission approves construction of building on protected farmland
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Some of the classic aircraft on display at the Canadian Museum of Flight. The Langley museum is one step closer to building a newer, bigger home, with word the Agricultural Land Commission has approved a relocation to a new site on protected farmland next to the Langley airport.

A new and much bigger home for the Canadian Museum of Flight in Langley has cleared an important regulatory hurdle, with news the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) has approved the construction on protected farmland next to the Langley airport.

In a five-page written decision released on Nov. 27, the ALC tribunal ruled the project, because of its relatively small size and location, “would not have an adverse impact on surrounding agricultural land or operations.”

The museum said the approval will help the fundraising campaign for the proposed 60,000 square foot building on a 1.6-acre site in the 21300 block of Fraser Highway, next to the Derek Doubleday Arboretum.

“Now we can do serious facility fundraising and planning,” said Gord Wintrup, the museum Building Task Force leader and former chairperson.

“(It’s) great news.”

“Construction of a new museum facility will confirm our contribution to the economy of Langley,” said current museum chairperson Bruce Bakker.

“The museum is now in a position to move forward with the opportunity the Township has provided them,” mayor Jack Froese said.

Langley Regional Airport manager Guy Miller said the relocation of the flight museum to the new site will benefit both museum and airport operations.

The museum currently operates out of a leased 7,000-square -foot space in a hangar at the airport, with no room to expand.

It houses more than 25 aircraft, five in flying condition.

A preliminary estimate has put the cost of construction of the new museum at $2 million.

A Township staff report to council said all the costs of construction and the relocation of the many classic aircraft will be borne by the museum.

According to the report, the Township plans to lease the property to the museum for a dollar a year.

It currently leases its airport space for about $15,000 a year.

The museum was founded in 1977 and originally operated in Surrey.

It moved to Langley in 1996.



Dan Ferguson

About the Author: Dan Ferguson

Best recognized for my resemblance to St. Nick, I’m the guy you’ll often see out at community events and happenings around town.
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