Darcy Rambold donates $50,000 to Moosomin airport
March 16, 2026, 2:10 pm
Nicole Taylor, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A $50,000 donation has been made to the Moosomin Airport Expansion Project by Darcy Rambold.
Rambold, former owner of Moosomin Pharmasave, recently completed the commitment of $100,000 with a final $50,000 donation after previously contributing $50,000 two years ago. Rambold said the decision to support the airport expansion project came after a presentation to the Moosomin Chamber of Commerce several years ago outlining the potential benefits of having an airport capable of accommodating air ambulance service.
“It was probably when Dr. Van and Jeff St. Onge presented to the Chamber of Commerce,” he said. “They showed the statistics about how valuable it would be to have an air ambulance land here and what that could mean for saving lives. That was really the turning point for me.”
Rambold said health care access was a major factor behind the donation.
“This airport is great for business in the area and for recreation for people who like to fly,” he said. “But my biggest reason was health care, making sure people can get where they need to go quickly and potentially save lives. I think it’s amazing,” Rambold said. “It’s the third longest airstrip in Saskatchewan. Some people have complained about the cost, but once you reach a certain size, going a little bigger does not cost that much more.”
The Moosomin Airport runway length, 5,000 feet, allows larger aircraft to land at the airport. “It allows for so much expansion and increased use,” Rambold said. “There are businesses with jet planes that can now fly in here when they could not before.”
Rambold also reflected on how the town has changed since he grew up there.
“I’ve been working here since 1992 and grew up here,” he said. “In the ’90s there wasn’t a lot going on. It was kind of just holding its own. But things are really taking off now. You hear about small towns in Saskatchewan declining, but we’re going the other way.
“It’s good to see,” he said. “I think it’s only going to help us develop even more. Having an airport puts Moosomin on the map. It’s not just about planes; it’s about people, businesses, and opportunities coming here because of better connections.”
Rambold also reflected on the sense of pride the project brings to Moosomin.
“Seeing this project finally completed gives you a sense of accomplishment for the whole town,” he said. “It shows that when people come together for something meaningful, good things can happen. Moosomin has always been resilient, and this is another example of that spirit.”
Rambold said the airport represents both opportunity and pride for Mooseomin.
“More than anything, it shows that our town is moving forward,” he said.
“It’s not just a strip of pavement—it’s a statement about what Moosomin can accomplish when people come together for the common good.”
Olga McCarthy, a member of the Moosomin Airport Committee, said the donation will help support ongoing airport improvements.
“None of this would have happened without the donations,” she said.
Some of the projects currently being considered include bringing fuel services to the airport, installing an Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS), and beginning the subdivision process for aircraft hangars.
McCarthy said the airport committee is now focusing on long-term operations and maintenance.
“We’re entering the point where we have the runway and it’s operational,” she said. “Now we’re making sure we have the operational budget to sustain it year after year.”
Maintenance costs will include snow removal during winter and future pavement maintenance.
“Eventually the pavement will need maintenance like crack filling and resurfacing,” she said. “We’re planning for the future to ensure that this asset stays operational. The goal is to have a well-run airport that people can rely on no matter the season.”
The airport project originally had a fundraising goal of about $10 million, and some previously pledged funds are still being collected.
Plans for additional infrastructure have also shifted as the committee reviews priorities.
“Originally there were plans for a permanent lighting system,” McCarthy said. “But since the temporary lights are working well, we decided to keep them for now and use that capital for other projects.”
McCarthy said the goal moving forward is to operate the airport without relying on ongoing donations.
“We don’t really want to keep asking the community for money,” she said. “People have done their part and supported the project. Now we want to find ways to keep it operational and sustainable.”
Future donations, she said, would likely be directed toward larger capital projects such as a terminal building or infrastructure upgrades.
McCarthy said the airport has created new opportunities for people interested in aviation careers.
“There’s a flight school about 40 minutes away that can provide all the ratings needed,” she said. “For students graduating high school who might not know what they want to do yet, aviation could be another option.”
“You can fly air ambulance, crop spraying, northern operations, or private charter,” she said. “There are also careers in aircraft maintenance and airport operations. Someone might start as a mechanic and eventually become chief of maintenance. Airports like this open doors that didn’t exist before.”
McCarthy said the development gives local residents more options as well.
“I actually started flying after this project began,” she said. “I got my private pilot licence last year, then my multi-engine rating this year, and now I’m working toward my IFR rating. There are more people like that who may never have thought flying was an option before. It really inspires you to think about what’s possible when you have access to these kinds of resources close to home It’s like a portal to the sky. From here, you can go anywhere,” she said.
“Healthcare was the number one reason people supported this, because having the ability to get proper care in a critical situation can make all the difference. But airports also support business and recreation. They’re part of a community’s growth story.”
The Moosomin Regional Airport is now fully operational, offering a range of aviation services and laying the groundwork for continued growth and opportunities in the region.
