Wigram Aerodrome - Closure

Closure

On the 9th of July 2008 Television 3 News broadcast a news item (video) stating that Ngai Tahu, the owners of the aerodrome (acquired as part of a treaty settlement claim) are to close Wigram Aerodrome by February 2009. The airfield is to be developed into housing, whilst the historic control tower and hangars are to remain as they are heritage protected buildings.

Wigram airfield officially ceased operation as an airfield at 00:00 Sunday 1 March 2009 NZ Local time. Runway closure X markers are now in place on the sealed 03/21 and grassed runways. The grass runways 03/21 and 13/31 have posts and wires across them. Cattle are also loose on the former runways. No aircraft can use this airfield anymore. The airspace above is now controlled by Christchurch Tower

On November 4 2011 rumours began that three aircraft (or the substantial remains) were excavated by housing contractors on the former airfeld site, and that private security officers were employed around the area to prevent people getting too close to the site. However no remains were found only an old dump site with no historical signifigance.

2012-13 Numerous dwellings have now been built over what was the grass runway at the western end of the old field. At the Eastern end there is a substantial industrial development in progress.

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