Wetaskiwin County is providing a variety of services in kind as a way to support the re-established Wetaskiwin Air Show.
The air show has been on hiatus since 2012 but this year is being held mid-week on a July 20 to try to re-build the air show in a smaller setting.
“I would like to see it succeed,” said Coun. Larry McKeever, at council’s April 26 meeting.
As it has in the past, the Wetaskiwin Air Show Society is relying heavily on community support and sponsorship to get the event off the ground. In past years the county has given financial support as well as services but this year the organization is providing a series of services at no cost to the Wetaskiwin Air Show Society.
The services are: participating in the air show Emergency Response Team by appointing Mike Zajac, county director of emergency services, as the county representative; provide a loader on standby at the county administration building for rescue services; provide a water truck and operator; open an emergency co-ordination centre at the county administration building; provide assistance from the community peace officer, based on their availability.
The services will be in effect both July 19 and 20 — during the show and the previous day for the private practice run.
The county also approved setting up temporary road closures for the show to keep people from watching the show in dangerous areas or private land. “We’ve dealt with this before,” said CAO Frank Coutney.