Southport celebrated 25 years of operations with a commemorative ceremony today.

Politicians, military personnel, citizens of the Portage la Prairie area and Southport staff, board members and tenants — including 3 Canadian Forces Flight Training School students and staff — gathered to mark the company's silver anniversary.

According to a media release, military flight training has been carried out under private contract at Southport since 1992, when the company assumed the airport, buildings and infrastructure of the former CFB Portage la Prairie. KF Aerospace is the current subcontractor providing military flight training at Southport for 3CFFTS.

The Canadian Snowbirds Aircraft Demonstration team helped marked the anniversary, dazzling guests with multiple flyovers leaving the signature trail of white-smoke in their wake. Southport also unveiled its new 'gate-guard' to greet visitors at the front entrance of the community – a Tutor 202 Golden Centennaires Aircraft.

The Canadian Snowbirds performed a flyover at Southport, to mark the company's 25th anniversary April 28, 2017. (photo by Matt Hermiz)

“Twenty-five years has gone by in a blink of an eye,” says Southport CEO Peggy May. “With the rich military history of flight training that's happened here since 1940, we thought this was a good opportunity for us to not only celebrate our 25th year, but have something to commemorate that by bringing in the beautiful, Golden Centennaire aircraft.”

“It's very exciting for us, and meaningful. Not only for Southport, but to the people that work and live here everyday.”

Southport CEO Peggy May speaks during a special 25th anniversary celebration on April 28, 2017. (photo by Matt Hermiz)

The Tutor 202 aircraft is one of the planes used to train pilots at CFB Portage la Prairie. The paint job on Southport's new community jewel is that of The Golden Centennaires: an aerobatic team of eight Tutors formed in 1967, established specifically for Canada's Centennial anniversary. The team only performed for one year.

This specific Tutor 202 journeyed to Southport from the United States. The Aviation Historical Society reached out to Southport about four months ago, informing the company about the aircraft. Southport purchased the plane and it was disassembled, put into a sea can and shipped from Washington. It arrived at Southport two weeks ago, and Kelowna Flight Craft crew members worked to reassemble it for the grand unveiling today.

The new 'gate-guard' at Southport: A Tutor 202 aircraft, painted with The Golden Centennaires colours. (photo by Matt Hermiz)

“A lot of experienced pilots in the Royal Canadian Air Force, this is what they flew as part of their training,” says Brig.-Gen. David Cochrane, Commander of 2 Canadian Air Division in Winnipeg. “It will emphasize to the young new pilots that dreams can come true.”

SAVE THE BASE

Premier Brian Pallister, Portage la Prairie Mayor Irvine Ferris and RM of Portage la Prairie Deputy Reeve Roy Tufford were among the political leaders in attendance for the ceremony. Each spoke to the economic challenges the Portage la Prairie region faced in the late 1980s with the closure of the Campbell's Soup production plant and CFB Portage la Prairie. A number of community and business leaders came together to spearhead efforts to maintain military operations in the Portage la Prairie area, forming the Save The Base Committee. Its work helped establish Southport.

“It was a massive turning point in the history of Central Manitoba, Portage la Prairie and the RM. It's such a great thing to celebrate today. It demonstrates the power of teamwork, of flying in formation,” says Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister. “I remember the day we were given site specific designation, meaning pilot training was going to be occurring (at Southport). It was a powerful and emotional accomplishment and a great turning point for our area.”

Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister spoke at Southport's 25th anniversary celebration, re-calling some economic hardships the Portage la Prairie region faced prior to the establishment of Southport. (photo by Matt Hermiz)

“...It actually inspired my family to get more involved in public life. I doubt I would be the premier of Manitoba today or even enter public life, if it wasn't for the inspiration of seeing what we accomplished those number of years ago.”

Celebrating the resiliency the community demonstrated those years ago when faced with economic hardship is a big part of today's celebration to Portage la Prairie Mayor Irvine Ferris.

“Many people are here today that were integral to the formation of the Save The Base Committee back then, and we're still enjoying the fruits of their labour today,” Ferris explains. “It's important to recognize our history and we look forward to the future and what's going to happen out here. This is one of the major drivers in our economy.”

RM of Portage la Prairie Deputy Reeve Roy Tufford, left, and Portage la Prairie Mayor Irvine Ferris during proceedings at Southport's 25th anniversary celebration April 28, 2017. (photo by Matt Hermiz)

Southport is situated in the RM of Portage la Prairie. Deputy Reeve Roy Tufford calls the company a major reason for past, and continued economic growth.

“They've got 25 years under their belt and we see it going on for many more years with continued growth,” Tufford adds. “And we'll do anything we can on our end to make sure they prosper here.”