Latest news with #CarlDymond
CBC
05-06-2025
- Business
- CBC
'The wrong guy took over': Residents frustrated as Carl Dymond's airport promises fall flat
Ottawa businessman Carl Dymond promised to create thousands of jobs, build futuristic drones, and build up passenger traffic in Stephenville, but none of that has materialized. Instead, the power has been cut off to the airport, which has other consequences. The CBC's Troy Turner reports.
CBC
04-06-2025
- Business
- CBC
Stephenville airport shuttered as power company pulls the plug
It's lights out at the Stephenville Dymond International Airport. Newfoundland Power confirmed Tuesday afternoon that work was underway to disconnect electrical service there. An aviation notice, called a NOTAM, was released at 4:07 p.m. NT saying the airport was closed. It will be in effect until June 9, at least. Last week, Newfoundland Power told CBC News it issued a seven-day notice to pull the plug due to what it called "outstanding account issues." The airport has struggled financially for decades. Ottawa businessman Carl Dymond purchased the operation in 2023 with big promises to turn things around. They included pledges to spend hundreds of millions of dollars, create thousands of jobs, return passenger service and build gigantic, futuristic drones. None of those plans came to fruition. Instead, the airport experienced operational setbacks and found itself in legal and financial trouble. Those woes include a $2.4-million lawsuit over the installation of a new runway lighting system. A trial is set for 2026. An investor who helped facilitate Dymond's acquisition of the airport won a default $2-million judgment against Dymond personally. Stephenville town council is also looking to collect on a half-million-dollar property tax bill. Earlier this year, the airport was downgraded to a "registered aerodrome," which means it's not subject to ongoing inspection by Transport Canada, but is inspected periodically to verify compliance with regulations. When contacted Tuesday, Dymond declined to do an interview. In a text message, he said he expected the power shutoff to only last a few days.
CBC
28-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Stephenville airport could soon lose power, as N.L. fires up air ambulance contingency plans
Social Sharing It could be lights out at the Stephenville Dymond International Airport later this week, if the beleaguered operation doesn't pay its utility bill. Newfoundland Power has confirmed it issued the airport a seven-day "notice of disconnection" due to "outstanding account issues." In an emailed statement, the utility wrote that it "remains available to work with the airport to resolve outstanding account issues required for continuation of service." It marks the latest financial hardship the airport has seen since it was purchased by Ottawa entrepreneur Carl Dymond in August 2023. Dymond bought the facility for $6.90 and a payment of more than $1 million in existing liabilities. Since the sale, Dymond has been hit with a $2.4-million lawsuit by Tristar Electric, which alleges it hasn't been paid for its work to install a new runway lighting system. Earlier this year, lawyers for the airport got permission to withdraw from the case because they say they haven't been paid either. That news came on the heels of the airport being downgraded to a "registered aerodrome," meaning it is not subject to ongoing inspection by Transport Canada, but is inspected periodically to verify compliance with regulations. There are eight registered aerodromes on the island portion of the province, including those in Bell Island, Clarenville and Port aux Choix. Health minister says air ambulance plan in place In March, the province said it would continue to use Stephenville for its air ambulance service. According to statistics collected for the Health Accord and published in 2023, there were 290 air ambulance flights to Stephenville over a previous 3 1/2-year period. That amounts to about seven flights a month. Health Minister Krista Lynn Howell told CBC News the province has been working on a contingency plan in the event Stephenville's airport can't be used. "The medical professionals do this type of work, day in, day out, and there could be reasons why an airport isn't available," Howell said, citing issues like runway maintenance. "This is just another one of those examples where we had to build a contingency plan," Howell said. "And we're confident that NLHS has taken all the appropriate steps to mitigate, as much as possible, the risk factors that we can control." In a broad sense, the contingency plan could include a mix of resources and assets. That includes two runways "in close proximity" to Stephenville — Deer Lake and St. Andrews in the Codroy Valley — "that may be able to be utilized," according to Howell. "There may be a combination of road transport, air transport, or even using a helicopter in instances where that's appropriate," she said. "The folks who are making these decisions, the medical professionals, will determine what is the most appropriate asset to deploy." Council has stressed importance of air ambulance service In January 2023, before the final sale to Dymond was approved, the Town of Stephenville gave the airport $50,000 to keep the operation running. Councillors who voted to approve the grant framed their support around the importance of the airport in providing an air ambulance service. "I have to say yes, because it's the taxpayer's life that comes into play," said Coun. Myra White at the time. "And I know it's $50,000, but I look at a life, and what is a life worth?" When the deal to sell the airport was initially announced in September 2021, Carl Dymond said he planned to spend hundreds of millions and create thousands of jobs. His vision included the construction of massive high-tech drones. Those plans have yet to materialize.
CBC
05-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
Stephenville's airport is no longer an airport, as financial woes land in court
Social Sharing Stephenville Dymond International Airport has been hit by turbulence on two separate fronts this week — operational and legal. At Supreme Court in St. John's on Wednesday morning, lawyers representing the airport in a $2.4-million lawsuit over unpaid bills got permission to withdraw from the case — because they say they haven't been paid either. Meanwhile, the airport is also now designated as a "registered aerodrome" — at least for the time being. A notice was sent out about that change in classification on Friday evening. "You're looking at Stephenville being classified as a bare bones airport with a runway and minimal services," said John Gradek, an aviation expert who teaches at McGill University. Aviation facilities have three different categories in Canada. An unregistered aerodrome is usually a small airstrip on private property that is not subject to conditions and regulations laid out by Transport Canada. A registered aerodrome is not subject to ongoing inspection by Transport Canada, but is inspected periodically to verify compliance with regulations. There are eight registered aerodromes on the island portion of the province, including those in Bell Island, Clarenville and Port aux Choix. The Stephenville Airport is no longer considered an official airport 22 hours ago Duration 2:32 Pilots using registered aerodromes are expected to contact the owner of the facility to ensure it is compliant with Canadian Aviation Regulations. The highest level is a certified registered aerodrome, also called an airport. These facilities are regularly inspected by Transport Canada and must adhere to all related regulations. 'Business as usual,' Carl Dymond says Carl Dymond, owner of the Stephenville airport, would not do an interview. In an emailed statement, he said the reason the classification was changed is "due to improper line painting on the runway and taxiways." He said he has hired a contractor to complete the work needed, and that is expected to commence in May. "This does not, in any way, affect our current operations and it is business as usual," Dymond wrote. Dymond also says he will be requesting a new inspection take place after the work is completed to bring Stephenville's airport back to certified, registered aerodrome status. But not so fast, says Gradek. "Not so simple," he said. "Transport Canada will be coming in. Yes. They will be looking at the markings and they'll make sure the markings are properly set up and visible and all that good stuff with markings. But you're going to have a look at the other operations at the airport as well." According to provincial officials, air ambulances will continue to use Stephenville's airport for medical emergencies. Gradek worries commercial aircraft will avoid landing at the aerodrome "because there's a certain level of service that you know you need that you don't have for your airplane and for your passengers." CBC News asked Transport Canada for an interview. Airport acquisition completed in 2023 Dymond purchased the airport in August 2023, nearly two years after a celebratory announcement signalling his interest — and ambitious plans. Those included the manufacturing of drones the size of a Hercules aircraft, with a payload of nearly 24,000 kilograms. Dymond has promised up to $500 million in spending and the creation of thousands of jobs. He bought the facility for $6.90 and payment of more than $1 million in existing liabilities. To date, the airport hasn't paid property taxes to the town. Last month, Stephenville Mayor Tom Rose told CBC News he expected Dymond to soon settle the approximately $500,000 owing. "I'm confident that this year that will be taken care of," the mayor said at the time. When contacted this week about the change of the airport's classification, the town did not make anyone available for an interview. $2.4-million lawsuit ongoing At Supreme Court in St. John's on Wednesday, an application to set trial dates in a $2.4-million lawsuit against the airport was put on the shelf for two months. Tristar Electric says it hasn't been paid for its work to install a new runway lighting system. That claim hasn't been tested in court. Airport officials weren't in the courtroom Wednesday, but their lawyer was — only to say they wanted off the case, because they haven't been paid. In a court filing, law firm Benson Buffett says it has "invested significant time and resources" representing the airport in the lawsuit, and added that "Dymond has failed to pay solicitor fees." The judge granted permission to withdraw from the case. Tristar's application to set trial dates was pushed back to May 1. The judge said he wanted to give Dymond time to find a new lawyer.
