Demolition of old hangars at Downsview

(Here's a letter received today that I thought should be published. Cheers, Freddy K).

10 Dec 2009

Re Downsview Hangers

Dear Sirs

I have read the intensions of the DND to tear down the hangers at the old Downsview RCAF station.

As one of the founding members of the Toronto Aero Space Museum, as a former President of the Air Force Association (429 wing). And one who has organized fly-in activities at Baldwin airport. I can only agree to the need to retain these hangers and not destroy them. Yes there is a need for hanger space and activity space in Toronto.

When I was employed by Ace Hardware Canada I arranged to rent one of these hangers as a staging area for our trade shows the space was excellent and I might say appropriately priced to suit corporate budgets,

These have and should be used to accommodate other activities such as all military cadet programs etc

I suggest that the DND turn over these buildings to an organization such as the TAM or an equal; partner such as the Veterans Association in part to maintain. refurbish, and or utilize for functions as they are capable of doing so.

Yes the DND favours and rightfully so the activities of remembrance days and other military functions, yet has an aim to tear down the hangers with no regard to the veterans or heritage. I am sure that the DND did is some fashion consult with the powers to be to report their decisions and their actions for demolition.

Yes as a former member of the RCAF in Dowsnview I know that all former members would be appalled about these events.

The hangers are of a historical; nature and should be preserved as some were at Borden all for the same reasons. As an architectural designer of retail and commercial facilities and have done so globally I stand on the position that these HANGERS are in fact re-usable. There is an old saying in business of building architecture “it is cheaper to build then rebuild” however in this case the opposite is true “It is cheaper to retain existing building assets” especially when we know that to replace such assets in today’s financial terms would be astronomical and out of reach without asking for government assistance

Retain, reuse, rebuild are in today’s economic times the buzz words, (and should be always). I hope that governments are able to see that inevitably these facilities would have too be replaced in one shape or another and probably at the tax payer’s expense.

Instead of using tax payers funds to do the demolition be it DND or not use these funds to aid our troops in Afghanistan and turn over the facilities to private enterprise where we all know that the positive results will be staggering.

As all former member of 400/411 squadrons say

“Dowsview lives in cyber space” lets not let that become reality.

On a final note it is my hope that rational minds prevail and we can still enjoy “Downsview" as an Aviation heritage building and hanger far all aviation minded and veteran minded individuals.

What A great legacy it would be.

Leon Penchuk 416 622 4990