The Sir Keith Park Memorial Airfield Inc. was incorporated 2019 as a vehicle to negotiate and work with the Thames-Coromandel District Council to unlock the business, tourism and aviation potential inherent in the new designation for the Thames Airfield. A key objective of the incorporated society is to dramatically raise the level awareness, recognition and tribute due to Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Park GCB, KBE, MC, DFC, DCL – born here in Thames, New Zealand.
A strategy towards achieving this objective has been to support the Battle of Britain 2020 Commemorations Committee in organising an appropriate recognition of Battle of Britain Day in September annually.
One key initiative is to erect a memorial to Sir Keith at the Airfield with a replca Hurricane fighter styled on that at MOTAT in Auckland along with a statue of Sir Keith.
The objectives of the incorporated society, embedded in the society’s rules are:
Communication:
- Be the single point of contact with Thames-Coromandel District Council (Council) for Airfield-related matters;
- Conduct two-monthly Airfield User and Tenant Group Meetings;
- Gather, aggregate and prioritise Airfield issues from Users and Tenants for implementation;
Operations:
- Manage the safe operation of the Airfield;
- Manage the financial affairs of the Airfield and its operations;
- Gather operational statistics as a basis for future planning;
- Provide compliance reporting to CAA as necessary;
- Provide regular operations reporting to Council;
Promotion:
- Promote the use, development and safe operation of the Airfield;
- Promote the interests of aviation and aviation applications and training in the region.
Maintenance:
- Manage all aspects of the maintenance of the Airfield, its aviation and other assets;
- Engage contractors as necessary to carry out maintenance works;
- Develop a plan for regular maintenance works aligned to income and budgeting constraints;
Development:
- Develop and maintain an Airfield Strategy and Business Plan with a three-year forward window aligned to the Airfield Designation and current Master Plan;
- Research and validate potential Airfield development initiatives for consideration and possible inclusion in the Strategy and Business Plan;
- Coordinate Airfield development plans with Council on a regular basis, no greater than six-monthly;
FOLLOW US
VISIT SIR KEITH PARK MEMORIAL AIRFIELD
395 Ngati Maru Highway SH25
Thames, New Zealand
GET IN TOUCH
Goeff Furkert
President Sir Keith Park Memorial Airfield Inc
Ph: 021 833 044
Email: geoff.furkert@xtra.co.nz