Clear views for local skydiving business

By Bonnie MacPherson

An award-winning local business may soon be rebranded to reflect its Clearview Township roots.

Melanie Case and Leslie Farkas of Skydive Wasaga Beach (SWB) appeared before council this week seeking permission for a new landing site on township-owned property at 1585 Klondike Road, Stayner.

Farkas says Skydive Wasaga Beach is already doing business in Clearview, with its base at the Edenvale Airport. The establishment of a new landing site north of the Klondike Park well site and reservoir would cement its presence as a Clearview Township business.

“Our plan is to gradually make the change to Skydive Clearview over a period of two to three months. We have very positive relationships throughout the aviation community and an exemplary safety record, and we’d like to continue to build upon our reputation,” Farkas said.

Farkas added that SWB has the highest standards in the world for its instructors. “There are about 3,000 instructors in Canada and only about 20 who meet our standards.”

Township staff have been instructed to work with legal counsel to draft a lease agreement with Skydive Wasaga Beach for a portion of township-owned land at 1585 Klondike Park Road and to authorize SWB to submit a temporary zoning bylaw amendment to change the permitted land use at the site to accommodate a 100-by-100-metre drop zone and adjacent gravel parking lot.

Derek Abbotts, Clearview’s director of planning and building, said the regular statutory process will require a public meeting on the zoning application.

Farkas said the environmental impact of the drop zone will be minimal and the use is compatible with adjacent farming operations. He said the expansion of Clearview operations aligns with the township’s strategic priority of tourism development, citing the positive economic impact the business has had in its first 10 years.

“On average, we attract 4,000 visitors annually, with each person spending $120 to $180 above and beyond the cost of their skydiving adventure. That adds up to more than $700,000 a year. We’re imagining an advertising slogan like ‘Giving you a Clear View to Beautiful Georgian Bay.’”