Produced by
CUC

Cameco Canada Remembers Air Show -- 2008

Air show to lose its wings

The Cameco Canada Remembers International Air Show is being grounded for good after next year.
By The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon) June 14, 2008

The Cameco Canada Remembers International Air Show is being grounded for good after next year.

The 2009 event will be the last, organizer Brian Swidrovich announced Friday through a voice that trembled with emotion. He choked back tears and coughed to regain his composure as he explained how changes being made at the airport and residential development in the general area have made it "logistically impossible" to put on the show.

"It's a tough day. But let's face it, progress changes the landscape of every community," Swidrovich told reporters at a press conference that sounded more like a eulogy.

The press conference began with a moment of silence in honour of Fred Kidd, a Saskatoon veteran who died Wednesday at age 99.

Swidrovich tried to explain why the event meant so much to him but couldn't get through a full sentence before the tears overpowered him.

"I've had the opportunity to meet a lot of vets and . . . ," he said, then clenched his jaw as his eyes welled up.

The air show was created in 1995 as a tribute to veterans and timed with the 50th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. An honour guard and fly-past salute acknowledged those who put their lives on the line while, in later years, dozens of Canadian flags were placed along the infield. Each one marked a Canadian life lost in the ongoing Afghanistan conflict.

Gordon Wilson, a spitfire pilot during the Second World War, credited the air show with providing the opportunity to hold reunions with fellow fighter pilots and providing a source of pride.

The show grew into the country's largest annual memorial to veterans, drawing 30,000 spectators annually, and was moved from the lot at Credit Union Centre (then SaskPlace) to the John G. Diefenbaker International Airport in 1998.

"There are more than 400 air shows in North America and this one is recognized as one of the top handful," Swidrovich said.

The airport is undergoing $18 million worth of renovations and new construction this year to its runways, aprons, taxi lanes and airplane hangars.

Last year, it was announced that 2008's version of the show would not be held due to the airport work. The 2007 event was also a washout as heavy rain drenched the site and forced the show to be cancelled.

Despite those setbacks, and others through the past 13 years, the event was on solid financial footing, said Swidrovich, who is also director of business development for Credit Union Centre. It raised more than $400,000 for various charities and resulted in an estimated $30 million of economic activity in the city, noted Andrew Turnbull, board chair of Saskatoon Tourism.

"We're saddened to see an event that has been such a success come to an end, but we respect the decision," Turnbull said.

Swidrovich said the event couldn't return to Credit Union Centre because of development around there, including a new industrial park and a much busier Highway 16 than a decade ago, which poses more safety risks.

"We'll miss it," said Jim McKinny, a Korean War vet, who promised the 2009 event would go out in style as "the mother of all air shows."

While the power of CF-18 Hornets and the aerobatic grace of the Snowbirds will cease to entertain the crowds, another type of aircraft may rise up in their place, literally. Swidrovich is aiming for a 2010 launch of a hot air balloon festival dedicated to veterans.

"We're considering a couple of options right now, but the concept and theme (of hot air balloons) is a favourite of mine. It's the forerunner," he said.

As well, the Nutana Legion will host a new Folkfest pavilion during this year's multicultural festival on Aug. 14 and 15. A live DJ will play music from the 1940s and 1950s and demonstration of dance styles from the era will be performed. The rations won't be the same "grub" the boys on the front line chowed down but more modern fare, Swidrovich said.

Patrons will also be able to take in the legion's artifacts room, a living time capsule of machinery, clothing, books, documents, maps and other items. The parking lot will be turned into a display area for the Canadian Forces with a Second World War B-25 on hand. A theatre tent will show films from the 1940s and '50s as well as Canada Remembers documentaries filmed at the air show.

A version of the air show's opening ceremonies will also be held, featuring a parade of veterans, military prayers, a 21-gun volley, pipes and drums and a formal act of remembrance.

dbernhardt@sp.canwest.com

© (c) CanWest MediaWorks Publications Inc.

2008 Show Highlights

Although the 2008 show was cancelled due to runway construction at the Saskatoon Airport, there was a chance to salute the veterans. Click here for information on the Veterans Pavilion at Saskatoon Folkfest.

View Previous Show Highlights

Main History Page -- 2002 -- 2003 -- 2004 -- 2005 -- 2006 -- 2007 -- 2008