Malton BIA hopes the famous aircraft will serve as tourist attraction
The Malton community welcomed home a replica of the famous Avro Arrow CF 105 aircraft on June 23. Installed at Paul Coffey Park, the almost-full sized aircraft took its place of honour on a 6-foot podium adjacent to the MALTON letters and the replica CF-100 Canuck plane. The official public unveiling of the new landmark will happen in August with a community celebration.
The arrival of the Avro Arrow is a historic moment for the local Malton community, which built the original aircraft in the 1950s and was then known as a Canadian aerospace engineering hub.
“This shows any young kid who wants to get into STEM what’s possible. Malton built something world class,” said Sam Kohli, President of the Malton Business Improvement Area (BIA) in an interview with Mpulse.
It was almost 10 years ago that the BIA, in conjunction with then Councillor Carolyn Parrish, came up with the idea for the “Flight Park” to help make Malton a tourist destination. The “strategically placed” and “perfect for selfies” aircraft and MALTON letters sign are visible from planes taking off and landing at Pearson Airport.
Being only a five minute drive away, the BIA hopes they will attract more visitors to the neighbourhood, including aviation enthusiasts from across Canada and around the world.
While the Avro Arrow was originally planned to be a full-size replica, Kohli said that cost increases and delays during the Covid era meant they had to shrink it down slightly, making it closer to 80% of the original size.
The $3.6 million cost of the project was covered by the City of Mississauga, the federal government, the BIA and private donors.
The 45.5 hectare Paul Coffey Park underwent a $40 million, multi-year redevelopment that will be completed later this summer. In addition to the airplanes, the park boasts other newly completed attractions including “Superfan” Nav Bhatia’s basketball courts, new tennis courts and an adventure playground.
