Toronto Electric Model Aviation Club Forum

Hello TEMAC membership

I've been unable to hire/find someone to remove the old and damaged runway and replace it with new material.

The job involves taking up the old runway and removing it from the field, rolling the field flat (runway and surrounding grass) with a proper powered roller, lay down and staple a new Geotex runway.

I spent a few weeks pursuing what seemed to be a good lead, but the person just wouldn`t commit to the job.

If anyone knows of someone who can, and will, do this job, please let me know. TEMAC will pay the cost.

I can get the Geotex material and the roller.  If enough of the TEMAC membership will commit to the job, we can still get it done and have a new runway this year.

While I really believe that outdoor, careful work can be safe, COVID is still a reality. Do we have enough strong and willing members to this kind of physical labour under the current conditions?

I need to know how many members are willing to volunteer before we spend thousands of dollars for the runway material.

Please post in this thread if you will commit your time and effort. This is likely a 2 day job at least.

Should this endeavor fail, we can try again next year. Other options include leaving things as they are, or removing the damaged runway and planting grass.

David Kates
TEMAC VP

Hi David, I can commit to at least 1/2 day. I wish I could do more but really busy with work.
I would be willing to also go and start removing the old runway when I have a free couple of hours, shouldn't take too long.
Are you thinking of putting sand below as well? I heard it would help with levelling over the years.

Stephan

Thanks Stephan,

As soon as we decide upon a course of action I'll let you know... and give you lots of heads up.

As far as I know, we cannot do anything to the land.  It would be the best to put in a proper foundation... gravel, sand etc. but since it's farmland we can't.

I will help as long as the stay at home order is not in effect, and TEMAC is considered "open" according to the Government guidelines.

Thanks Simon.

Hi David,
Do you have dimensions of the runway to properly scope the work? and materials that we currently have and what we plan to use?
I also Commit to work if we do it ourselves after field opens.

Hi David... in as well (once the stay at home order is lifted)

Just putting this out there we might want to move this to next spring since rolling the field in the middle of summer* will not do much to smooth things out.

*PS it's just my personal guess that summer is when the order to lift

Thanks
Greg

I'm in as well, subject to COVID, and personal timing, but if both work out, I can commit to working to completion

Thanks guys.

I will participate in what ever manner I can, provided the public health stay at home order is lifted and the installation can be done safely with proper covid public health protocols being implemented by everyone during the installation.

As a matter of fact, I would offer to be a Covid safety monitor responsible to oversee the club's covid safety practices adopted for the installation.  Awareness that monitoring covid safety practices during the installation may encourage other club members to also come out and help out.

I can assist with the installation of the new runway for 2 days as long as it is not on June 21 (Doctor's appnt) and I will be out of town on June 25 to June 30. Otherwise, I am a willing worker to get this thing done. Cheers. Karl

Thanks Bruce... Karl... excellent.

I'm good to help out as well.
As we follow the rules and practices of safety....of course.

A thought... yes it hurt me....we could level out the runway with the surounding soil.
It has a good clay content... I know from retrieving planes and the mud stuck to my boots.

Thanks BJ.

Not sure what you mean by "level out".  It's the farmer's soil, not ours.  The most we can usurp is on our boots.

We'll have to be satisfied with getting in a power roller to smooth things out.

Hi David,       I will help with the runway.

I'm in Dave, just let us know when.

Alex

Glad to help @davidk .  I can set up an earthworm rescue station.  :D

Should we get a waste hauler to take away the old runway fabric, and maybe a few derelict patio chairs?

Andy

Count me in as well David. Glad to help! George

Hi David
I found 3 landscaping company who are willing to do it. How do they contact you?

Quote from: Forenplayer on May 05, 2021, 09:42:42 AM
Hi David
I found 3 landscaping company who are willing to do it. How do they contact you?

That's great Alex, send me a private message with their details.  I'll give them a call.
Can you provide the contact names of the people you talked with?

Quote from: davidk on May 05, 2021, 12:30:11 PM

Quote from: Forenplayer on May 05, 2021, 09:42:42 AM
Hi David
I found 3 landscaping company who are willing to do it. How do they contact you?

That's great Alex, send me a private message with their details.  I'll give them a call.
Can you provide the contact names of the people you talked with?

Thanks again Alex.  As you mentioned in our conversation, these companies were only willing to do the rolling part... which is the easiest part of the whole process.

The plan for TEMAC to put in a new runway has been in place for quite some time.  It's not the plan or planning that is/was the tough part.  It was getting someone to a) understand what was needed b) actually look into the specifics  c) have a look at the field  d) return calls  e) actually commit to doing the job.

Lots of companies will roll the field, but no one will remove the old Geotex and put down the new Geotex.  This whole process is what I was referring to in this thread's opening post.

Thanks for having a look.

Judging by the responses to this thread we will have the people needed to do the job.  We just need to wait for the stay at home order to be lifted and then organize.

David

hi been awhile since I posted anything.

Coming from a farmers son, has anyone asked the farmer about what we can do, and if he/she can possibly lend assistance?  Am I wrong, or does not the land actually belong to developers, not to the person who is farming it?  From the equipment that has been used, the person who is farming it now, is not the same as four years ago.

I have seen their rollers (we call them packers)  a couple passes with that thing and it will flatten everything.

I believe the proper way of doing this is to dig it out, and treat it the same as putting in a lane way

Quote from: flying IT on May 05, 2021, 07:20:39 PM
hi been awhile since I posted anything.

Coming from a farmers son, has anyone asked the farmer about what we can do, and if he/she can possibly lend assistance?  Am I wrong, or does not the land actually belong to developers, not to the person who is farming it?  From the equipment that has been used, the person who is farming it now, is not the same as four years ago.

I have seen their rollers (we call them packers)  a couple passes with that thing and it will flatten everything.

I believe the proper way of doing this is to dig it out, and treat it the same as putting in a lane way

That option has been looked into and is not available.

As I've said, renting a roller and rolling is the easiest part of the whole process.  Digging out the runway is not an option, nor is it required.

I'm onto another possible "full" solution... so I'll report back on that when I know more.

I am in, just let me know....

Just checked in and saw this post - Yes, I'll be willing to assist in anyway I can - cutting into strips, rolling tying and stacking for removal etc.  -  all Covid regs allowing of course.

Stroll-on post Covid, new runway and flying chaps!!