Bancroft Community Airport delivers Christmas gift to Hospice

December 28, 2015

Christmas arrived a few days early for Hospice North Hastings thanks to a donation from the re-named Bancroft Community Airport.

Pat Murdock, vice president of the Bancroft Flying Club, explained that the club and all its members were happy to share their good fortune at this time of year.

“People support us through the annual Fly-In Pancake Breakfast and we just want to give back,” Murdock said while giving a tour of the airport on Dec. 21. “There were 550 meals served and 60 aircraft. It was a great community event.”

More than ever before, community is a huge focus for the volunteer run organization on Chemaushgon Road, just minutes from downtown Bancroft. Volunteers at the Bancroft Community Airport, formerly known as the Jack Brown Airport, hope to make even more people and more community partners feel welcome and connected to this important hub for services and flying enthusiasts.

President Lynn Davis explains that while club members still remember and honour the early work done by Jack Brown, the new name is all about attracting people to the facility and the airport. Davis says that members are not all pilots but that many are simply interested in aviation and the benefits that an airport brings to our community.

Bancroft Mayor Bernice Jenkins was on-hand for the donation to hospice and she says she is thrilled to see the name now reflect what the airport means to the community.

“The Bancroft Community Airport is an integral part of who we are and the more descriptive name reflects the number of agencies that use the airport,” Jenkins said. “Congratulations to all of you.”

The Bancroft Community Airport has been owned operated by the Bancroft Flying Club for over 50 years. With their 2,400 ft runway, fully operational helipad and fuelling station, there are exciting things ahead for the airport.

Receiving the donation for Hospice North Hastings was co-ordinator Heather Brough.

“We’re all working as not for profits and we can all help each other,” Brough said. “We consider the Bancroft Community Airport as a partner and we look forward to continuing to work together.”

Submitted by Barbara Shaw