Crawford Bay Airport

The airport was closed due to economic and regulatory reasons. A Transport Canada inspection identified several safety and standards deficiencies with the runway and facilities. The owner, Kokanee Springs Golf Resort, determined that the cost to perform the required upgrades to meet federal standards was 'prohibitive,' leading to the decision to permanently cease aviation operations.

The airport is permanently closed and decommissioned. Satellite imagery and local reports confirm that large white 'X' markings are painted on the runway surface, the universal indicator of a closed airfield. The site has been repurposed for recreational use. The eastern end of the former runway has been converted into several pickleball courts, and the remaining paved surface is used by the community and resort guests for activities such as walking, cycling, and other events.

The airport, also commonly known as the Kokanee Springs Airstrip, was a private airfield owned and operated by the Kokanee Springs Golf Resort. Its primary function was to support the local tourism economy by allowing guests and patrons to fly directly to the resort via private and charter aircraft. With a paved runway of approximately 3,200 feet, it could handle a variety of general aviation aircraft, from single-engine planes to small turboprops. For decades, it provided a crucial and convenient transportation link to the relatively remote East Shore of Kootenay Lake, bypassing a lengthy drive and the Kootenay Lake Ferry for visitors from regional hubs like Calgary, Vancouver, and Spokane.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the airport. The significant financial investment required to meet Transport Canada standards remains the primary barrier. Furthermore, the repurposing of the runway for other permanent recreational facilities like pickleball courts strongly indicates that the owner has committed to a different land use and has no intention of restoring aviation operations.