The Heron Centre is one of the oldest buildings in Southport, and is scheduled for demolition next year to make way for expansion of other facilities.

Southport CEO Peggy May: "Next year one of the big capital projects for us will be demolishing the Heron's Centre. It's the oldest building on site now. We'll' be demolishing that to make way for a new hanger development in the future. And around that site will be additional new paving, we'll be looking at some infrastructure, some new connections for sewer and water."

Peggy May

May says empty buildings are tax burdens they could do without.

"The site overall, I think we've demolished a number of buildings over the years, some of them are just not worth maintaining. And if they're vacant, they're costly. We still pay property tax on them, and we still have issues to deal with. Some of those buildings contained asbestos. So, demolishing them is a project in itself."

She adds the site stands as a strategic location for future development.

"As we hope to expand the contracts with our existing tenants, and perhaps some new ones, the hangar development along that flightline is really going to be important. And kind of a priority for us. That Heron Centre is sitting right where we need new parking spaces and access."