Years after being announced, work continues on a major project just east of Calgary.
De Havilland Field will eventually become the production hub and headquarters for the Canadian-based airplane manufacturer.
Aircraft set to be built at the new facility include the brand-new water bomber, the CL-515. The company has already taken orders for more than two dozen aircraft, creating some 500 jobs in Calgary.
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The facility will also produce the popular Twin Otter, which operates in over a hundred countries worldwide.
De Havilland’s vice-president of corporate affairs, Neil Sweeney, says a major hurdle has been cleared with government approval of the runway design, and that at least a portion of the facility is on track to be operational sometime in 2028.
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“We’ve moved our machinery and equipment onto the site already,” said Sweeney. “Phase one will be parts and distribution, parts manufacturing, aircraft assembly and a runway.”
Sweeny adds the company is working on building a residential community just outside of Strathmore so that employees have an option of living close to the field.
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