Page 11 - Southport - Reaching New Heights - Summer 2017

buildings that had reached end-of-life. Wherever possible, these buildings were 2005-Present
put to other uses, such as being donated to the Fort La Reine Museum in Portage In 2005, Southport entered into a new
la Prairie. The streets in the commercial area were changed from their numerical contract until 2027 with the successful
designations and renamed after the different aircraft historically used for military bidder in the new flight training contract:
flight training.
Allied Wings (now KF Aerospace).
At this time, Southport had several of the tenants who are still here today. Of KF Aerospace is a significant
course, 3CFFTS was already here, along with many of the services they require partner for Southport, as they use a
(although those services have been provided by different companies throughout substantial number of services and site
time.) infrastructure.

Airport Technologies Inc, which manufactures airport snow clearing equipment This period saw a focus on growth and
started at Southport during this time, as did Addictions Foundations of Manitoba, expansion. In preparation for the new
a residential youth treatment facility. Southport also gained education facilities, contract, Southport demolished and
including Assiniboine Community College, Red River – Stevenson Aviation which replaced Hangar 1 and 2 in 2005-2006.
trains Aircraft Maintenance Engineers and Accelerated Christian Education, which Hanger 3 and 5 were also demolished
now owns their own building. The regional health authority, which would later to make room for new growth. Hanger
become Southern Health – Santé Sud, was also a tenant at this time. In addition, 4 currently houses Red River College -
the bowling alley and golf course on site were also leased out. Stevenson Aviation.
In this contract, Southport experienced air shows, hosting athletes for the 1999 The Hilly Brown Building and Barker
Pan Am Games, hosting the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Training Camp, celebrating Building were also constructed during
the 60th anniversary of flight training and many other events. This time period was this contract. Hilly Brown (built in 2007)
formative in establishing Southport as we know it today. houses a first-class flight training

See more pics from the Gate
Guardian & Snowbirds. Click
here in our online edition.

program that utilizes classroom space, Plains RecPlex, which features modern contractors for the military flight training
flight training devices, simulators, and recreation for all ages and a variety of contract. Most recently, Portage Day
training support facilities to instruct interests. Upgrades to the facility include Care and Sawmill Tea + Coffee Co.
students, while the Barker Building (built a 9 meter climbing wall and an indoor are leasing space in the Central Plains
in 2010) is a modern accommodation track, among others. RecPlex.
building with 52 suites suitable for short Southport gained new tenants during During this contract, Southport has
or long-term stays. More recently, the this contract. The tenants still here experienced many events, including
former Southport Recreation Centre was today include Nutri-Pea Limited, which military flight training anniversaries,
upgraded into the newly opened Central leases the warehouse, and some support air shows, and hosting the military

Southport: Reaching New Heights | 11