Murray Wood: Who's hot... and who's not
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The future of the Canadian Forces Snowbirds is still up in the air, but in Moose Jaw the hope is that the iconic aerobatic team will keep flying for generations to come.
Ahead of Defence Minister David McGuinty’s scheduled visit to Moose Jaw on Tuesday, Tourism Moose Jaw executive director Donna Fritzke said the Snowbirds are more than just jets in the sky, they are part of the city’s identity.
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“The Snowbirds have put Moose Jaw on the map nationally and internationally, and they are truly the heart of our community,” Fritzke said. “Everyone is so proud to say that we are the home of the Snowbirds.”
Speculation about the team’s future has grown as questions persist about the aging CT-114 Tutor jet fleet.
While no final decision has been announced, the possibility of grounding the Snowbirds has sparked concern in the city that hosts 15 Wing Moose Jaw.
Fritzke said the connection could be seen across the city, including at Tourism Moose Jaw’s Visitor Centre.
“We have a Tutor jet that’s in our parking lot at the tourism centre, and we’re asked all the time about it,” she said.
“The Western Development Museum, they have a display showcasing what the Snowbirds do in our community.”
Fritzke said tourism in Moose Jaw was built around experiences, heritage, culture and storytelling and the Snowbirds fit into all of those categories.
“The Snowbirds are all of that, all entwined into one,” she said. “So many generations of people that have lived in Moose Jaw, have come to visit Moose Jaw, have been able to experience the Snowbirds through our air shows.”
According to Fritzke, tourism spending in Moose Jaw reached $140 million last year. She said losing the Snowbirds would be a major blow.
“If we were to lose the Snowbirds, that’s going to put a huge hit, I believe, on tourism, because they are such a huge part of our community,” Fritzke said. “They’re our identity for sure.”
She said the idea was emotional for many in Moose Jaw.
“It would be very sad, and I think it would break a lot of hearts in our community,” she said.
Fritzke said some of her own memories of the Snowbirds came from watching them practise with her family.<
“We would sit on our deck and watch them practise, and the big hearts in the sky,” she said. “It was so much fun to take our kids to the air show. It was the best day, and I just can’t imagine for future generations that they wouldn’t have that opportunity.”
While the uncertainty has caused worry, Fritzke said she was trying to stay hopeful ahead of McGuinty’s visit.<
“We’re hoping for good news,” she said. “Let’s hope for good news, and that it’s going to be a positive impact for our community.”
She said if the announcement involved new planes and a pause to keep pilots and the public safe, people would likely understand.
“You want your pilots and you want our community to be safe,” Fritzke said. “I think people will be patient if those are the concerns.”
But for now, Moose Jaw is waiting.
“We just have to be patient and wait and see what’s going to happen,” Fritzke said. “But we’re hoping for the best.”
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