It was a year of growth, and continued partnerships for Southport Aerospace. CEO Peggy May says the saw the renewal or extension of several leases with their tenants, making for a financially successful year. However, she notes the real excitement surrounding the work taking place at their recreation centre. May notes 2015 saw the beginning of the second phase of the major Southport Rec Plex overhaul, noting at this point the work's well underway.

"They've poured all the cement, filled in the pools of course, and now they're building the climbing wall and running track, and some of the facilities that will be in the new space, such as the new welcome centre. That will continue until the spring and we'll have our grand opening in 2016."

With the recreation centre work comes a new agreement for Southport. They've formed a partnership with Portage Day Care Inc., to create upwards of 30 new child care spaces within the new facility. May says that ten year lease was one of the biggest highlights of the past 12 months.

"That's super exciting. Working with Portage Day Care they're hoping for 30 to 32 spots out there, and the plan is for the spring to have them open, in May. Not only will they provide the opportunity have child care at the site, but they'll bring new jobs out there."

It wasn't just their large facilities that were the focus of improvements during the last year. May notes 2015 marked the second year of their housing suite upgrades, which are always extremely well received.

"The last two years we've renovated a number of the residential housing units. We do 24 a year, so we're up to 48. We have another year planned for another 24 to be renovated. We're pretty excited about that because they're whole new kitchens, bathrooms, windows and doors, and all of those things. They feel like brand new units, and as fast as we can renovate them, they're filling up."

She also notes a revamped website, a new community sign, and their first residential barbecue were just some of the other excited aspects of 2015.