Ending Orillia’s longstanding involvement in the Lake Simcoe Regional Airport was a difficult but necessary decision, the city’s mayor says.

Only by cutting ties to the airport could Orillia pursue a share of an emerging infrastructure fund for its library project – a fund Oro-Medonte is hoping to tap into for a planned expansion of the airport.

Had Orillia remained a part owner of the airport along with the City of Barrie and the township, “the chances of (Oro-Medonte) getting funding would have been about zero,” said Mayor Ron Stevens.

“We would much prefer that they get that grant and move ahead,” Stevens added.

The Building Canada Fund will consider only one application per community.

As a result, Orillia’s membership in the airport prevented it from supporting both grant applications, said City Manager Ian Brown.

The decision to sever ties with the airport did not sit well with Wayne Gardy, one of council’s two representatives on the airport commission.

He said Orillia would continue to enjoy the economic benefits of a regional airport without contributing financially to its operation and expansion.

“If you recognize those (benefits), then what are you doing? Are you out to lunch?” he said.

“You are saying we can ride on somebody else’s coat-tails, but we don’t have to be part of economic development.”

Orillia has additionally withdrawn from the joint-venture agreement that was forged between the member municipalities as they seek to upgrade and expand the facility.

Gardy said the city should have supported Oro-Medonte’s grant application rather than choose the library as its project of choice.

“I regret that we would take such a stand as we are taking now,” he told his colleagues.

The township is seeking $10 million toward a $15-million redevelopment of the increasingly busy airport, which until now had been jointly owned by the three municipalities.

Oro-Medonte Mayor Harry Hughes said the city’s departure does not preclude it from contributing to the airport in the same way his municipality pays for the use of libraries in Barrie and Orillia.

“Orillia’s taken their name off as an owner, but it doesn’t mean Orillia doesn’t support the airport, or there isn’t another way for them to contribute financially,” he added.

City officials, however, said Orillia’s financial obligation ended with its withdrawal.

(The municipality has in recent years contributed about $80,000 annually to the facility.)

Council would “re-evaluate its relationship with the airport” in future, said Coun. Tim Lauer.

Were council to consider rejoining the airport, it must do so as “a working, supporting partner,” Gardy added.

Orillia’s pullout also enables a governance review to occur, Hughes said, with the goal of turning the airport into a stand-alone corporation.

Doing so would enable the airport to attract more investment, he added.

Simcoe County Warden Tony Guergis said the county would consider becoming involved, as the airport plays a strategic role in the regional economy.

“Obviously we’ve had much discussion around the airport and its significance during our transportation master plan and during our (growth management) open houses,” he said. “It’s an important link to commerce and industry and in our economic development plan.”

He said the county would still require the support of the remaining partners – Barrie and Oro-Medonte – if it were to become involved in the airport.

Barrie Coun. Jeff Lehman – one of two city representatives on the airport commission – said Orillia’s withdrawal would allow work to begin on updating the airport’s governance structure and ability to attract investment.

“(The tripartite commission) has held back the airport from becoming more sustainable, and it’s held back economic development,” he said.

City treasurer Bob Ripley in August 2007 recommended council remove Orillia from the partnership and instead contribute an annual operating grant.

This week’s decision “doesn’t preclude council from providing a grant to the airport,” Ripley added.