Picton Airport

The closure was a result of military consolidation and downsizing. Following the unification of the Canadian Armed Forces in 1968, many post-WWII bases, including RCAF Station Picton, were deemed surplus to the Department of National Defence's requirements and were subsequently closed.

The site is now a large, multi-use property known as 'Base31'. It was formerly known as Loch-Sloy Business Park. The original runways, though no longer maintained for certified aviation, are still visible and are used for various activities including driver training, automotive events, and occasional private use by the Prince Edward Flying Club with special permission. The numerous WWII-era buildings have been repurposed and are home to a diverse mix of businesses, including artist studios, wineries, breweries, light industrial workshops, and storage facilities. The site's unique, preserved mid-century military architecture has also made it a popular location for film and television productions. It is being actively developed as a cultural and community hub with events, concerts, and historical exhibits.

The airport has significant historical importance as a key site for the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) during World War II. It opened in 1940 as No. 31 Bombing and Gunnery School. Here, thousands of Allied aircrew, including bomb aimers and air gunners from across the Commonwealth, received crucial training. Operations involved aircraft such as the Avro Anson, Fairey Battle, and Westland Lysander. After the war, it was repurposed as RCAF Station Picton and also housed other units, including the Royal Canadian School of Artillery (Anti-Aircraft). The base was a major local employer and a self-contained community with barracks, hangars, and administrative buildings, many of which still stand today.

There are no known official plans or serious prospects for reopening the site as a fully certified, public-use airport. The significant cost required to restore the runways and infrastructure to modern aviation standards, combined with the successful redevelopment of the property for commercial, cultural, and historical purposes under the 'Base31' project, makes a return to aviation-focused operations highly unlikely. The current development strategy is firmly centered on non-aviation uses.