Drummondville Airport project saw the day. M. Robert Bernard owner of a piece of land alongside St-Nicephore route 139, started the construction of a 1500’ long by 150’ wide grass airstrip. A hanger was moved from Bagotville to Drummondville to accommodate an aviation engine workshop.
M. Philippe Bernier who was a certified flight instructor, undertook to start a flight school with some other intervener. Suzanne Bernard at age 16 and Gérard Perron, St-Joseph mayor, were the first two person to get their pilot license.
By the end of the 50’s, realising the importance of an airport, Drummondville’s leader bought back the existing airstrip from M. Robert Bernard along with an other piece of land adjacent to the airstrip so it could accommodate bigger type of aircraft.
A pilot Association was founded and those same intervener put everything in place so the airport would have a seaplane base, considering the river’s proximity.
With the Federal Government efforts, a 4000’ long by 75’ wide asphalt runway was built. This construction started in fall of 1962. In the presence of many dignitaries, on September 25th 1963, was the inauguration of this new airport. Approximately 10,000 people where present for this flying festivity.
M. Larry Morin, who was a licensed private pilot, was the airport manager for 12 years. M. Claude Gaudet succeeded has airport manager from 1975 to 1981. Les Services Aérien Drummond would follow until March 1999.
The end of the 80’s and the beginning of the 90’s will bring some uncertainties. The economic context will raise some questions about the relevance of an airport facility and its management. Concerned with the possible closure of the airport, MM. Marc Leclerc, André Veilleux and Jacques Scalzo, passionates and implicated people in the aviation circle, would work on the airport situation with M. Jean Guy Spénard city’s treasurer and town council.
Then on November 13th 1995, all that hard work paid off. The Drummondville Regional Airport Corporation was created. Its objective, develop, promote and manage the airport. Volunteers will form the board of director and MM. André Veilleux, Marc Leclerc and Jacques Scalzo will act respectively as President, Vice President and treasurer. Right then a 3 phases plan for infrastructure improvement was elaborated.
Fulfillment of Phase I was made by the City of Drummondville. This phase would need substantial investment. Construction of a new terminal building, fuel tanks where change including a new Jet Fuel tank for turbine and Jet aircraft. On the infrastructure side, the parking area was completely redone, allowing parking space for as many as 27 aircrafts. Meanwhile the Corporation on its part, will invest approximately 100,000$ on new equipment.
Fulfillment of Phase II was made by the City of Drummondville. Important founding will be necessary to achieve this phase. Enlargement of the manoeuvre area. The taxiway is expanded from 45’ to 65 ’ wide. All the lighting system was redone including the addition of a new approach light system category I PAPI. Again the Corporation will invest a substantial amount, expanding the terminal building and installing a new radio communication tower.
Creation of the Airport’s Web Site by the Corporation. Furthermore in concert with the town’s elected councillors, we will proceed to the development plan elaboration of the airport industrial park.
The Corporation proceed with the airport’s industrial development plan proposed to the City Council. The principal characteristics are; modifications to the zoning allowing the land private, commercial and industrial use, the possibilities to either buy or lease building sites and planning of Phase I Development work. Furthermore repairs are done to the sea base loading and unloading area.
Realisation of Phase I of the Airport’s industrial park infrastructures. Already this new industrial park will receive 3 new constructions that same year. The Corporation, in collaboration with the city town council, are presently working on the realization of Phase III, which is to expand the actual runway to 6000’ long by 150’ wide with a fully integrated precision navigation system.
Drummondville Airport project saw the day. M. Robert Bernard owner of a piece of land alongside St-Nicephore route 139, started the construction of a 1500’ long by 150’ wide grass airstrip. A hanger was moved from Bagotville to Drummondville to accommodate an aviation engine workshop.
M. Philippe Bernier who was a certified flight instructor, undertook to start a flight school with some other intervener. Suzanne Bernard at age 16 and Gérard Perron, St-Joseph mayor, were the first two person to get their pilot license.
By the end of the 50’s, realising the importance of an airport, Drummondville’s leader bought back the existing airstrip from M. Robert Bernard along with an other piece of land adjacent to the airstrip so it could accommodate bigger type of aircraft. 
A pilot Association was founded and those same intervener put everything in place so the airport would have a seaplane base, considering the river’s proximity.
With the Federal Government efforts, a 4000’ long by 75’ wide asphalt runway was built. This construction started in fall of 1962. In the presence of many dignitaries, on September 25th 1963, was the inauguration of this new airport. Approximately 10,000 people where present for this flying festivity.
