General History 1939 to present
 
The development of what is now Springbrook and the Red Deer Regional Airport started out in the summer of 1939 with several earth moving machines unexpectedly moving onto a farm about 10 miles south of Red Deer (population 2800). Local residents suspected that it had something to do with the anticipated War in Europe, even though war wasn't officially declared until September. It was announced shortly after that it was to become part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. No. 36 Service Flying Training School was transferred from Britain to Penhold and was operated as an RAF station.
 
The base closed in 1944 and re-opened in 1951 as a flight training school for NATO. Mynarski Park (named after P/O Andrew Charles Mynarski), consisting of houses, duplexes and townhouses, was built in 1954 adjacent to the base for officers and their families. Anderson of Craigmyle School was built at the same time for Grades 1-8.
 
A provincial bunker was secretly built in 1964 housing the provincial warning centre, was sold to a private developer in 1996, bought back by DND and was demolished in 2001.
 
Military flying training operations ceased for the base in 1965 and airport operations were taken over by the City of Red Deer. The base itself served in a variety of functions and was named CFB Penhold in 1966 due to armed forces unification. In 1970, the federal government leased the airport to the province who in turn leased it to Red Deer.
 
The first Red Deer International Air Show was staged in 1983 and was held every year until 1995 when it went to every second year. The last airshow was held in 2003 and there are currently no plans to hold a future show. Airshows going back to the Second World War were also held prior to 1983 during times when the base was functioning.
 
The airport operated as the Red Deer Industrial Airport until 1999 when it was transferred to the Red Deer Regional Airport Authority.
 
The base was downgraded in 1990 to a detachment of CFB Edmonton and closed in 1995. That same year the Federal governmment sold the residential and base areas to private developers. The houses were renovated and sold, the townhouses became condominiums and the community was re-named 'Springbrook'.
 
The recreational facilities were operated by the developer for a few years and then sold a few times. A bar and grill, a hair salon and general store started with the new community. The store is still open and the recreation facilities have been renovated by the new owners to become a training and fitness centre. A community centre currently operates in the former theatre.
 
An active community association rebuilt the three playgrounds (one renamed Mynarski Park), constructed a multi-purpose pad and has made several other improvements to the community as wall as sponsoring several community events.
 
The old base was renamed Harvard Park (although still part of the hamlet of Springbrook) where new housing was developed and a number of businesses including hockey, oilfield, flight, motorcycle, and police training facilities now exist. A summer cadet camp still operates annually.
 

 

Website Publishing & Development

Website Development
Consulting, Research, Design
netMagazine Publishing
Copywriting, Editing, Mapping

Abundance Net
Website Publishing & Development
 
403-886-2640
Springbrook
paul@abundancenet.com

Publisher of
Springbrook-Waskasoo LIFE,
RedDeerRegion.com