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 part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.
 
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. It was demolished in 2001.
 
Flying 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 (no date has been set for the next airshow). Airshows were also held prior to 1983 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 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.
 
An active community association rebuilt the three playgrounds (one renamed Mynarski Park) and constructed a multi-purpose pad.
 
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.
 

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