A volunteer who has been the driving force behind the development of the Trail Regional Airport for more than 20 years was honoured Wednesday as the terminal was named after him.
A sign was unveiled, officially declaring the building the Don Nutini Air Terminal. A new interpretive panel also outlines his vision and legacy.
Nutini, who was applauded to the echo by a packed crowd and a host of dignitaries, has never been one for public recognition, preferring to toil in the background. “I’d rather be digging a ditch,” he joked.
The Friends of the Trail Airport recently brought the idea of honouring Nutini to city council.
“I couldn’t turn it down, because it’s a great honour,” he said an interview after the ceremony, adding that he only learned about it 10 days ago. “It makes me feel wonderful, really. Humbling.”
Mauro Chiocchetti, who spoke on behalf of the Italian Consul, said Nutini is the only Canadian citizen of Italian heritage for whom an airport terminal building has ever been named.
“This should be a tremendous point of pride for not only him, his family, and the Italian community, but also the entire community of Trail,” he said.
“[Nutini is] a shining example of the dedication, resilience, and vision of the Italian-Canadian community. His legacy stands as a testament to the lasting contribution of Italians in Canada. It strengthens the historic and cultural bond between Italy and the City of Trail.”
Nutini has long worked to promote the airport, first convincing the City of Trail to purchase the facility from the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary, then helping to secure regular passenger service, first with Northern Hawk Aviation in 2004-05, and, since 2006, with Pacific Coastal Airlines. Nutini also pitched in to help with daily airport operations.
In 2017, the city opened a new terminal building to replace the pilots’ clubhouse that had previously been used. That new building is the one that now bears Nutini’s name.
Asked what has made him such an advocate for local air service, Nutini replied that he felt it was important to ensure medevac flights, since Trail is home to the regional hospital. Plus the airport has been key for economic development, he said.
Nutini, who was also honoured in 2012 as the Trail-Warfield Citizen of the Year, is still involved in the airport as a member of the city’s advisory committee, and said he has no plans to give it up.
“I don’t think I have ever met a more selfless individual who has worked harder to make our community a better place,” said city councillor Thea Hanson, who co-chairs the airport committee.
“He is one of the reasons we have such an incredible airport. He has been the builder from Day One. All of us could learn something from Don Nutini and the incredible effort he puts in.”
Speakers related how Nutini was always eager to fix whatever needed fixing at the airport, no matter how minor, and quoted his motto: “Don’t tell me it can’t be done. Instead ask how it can be done.”
“I don’t like the word ‘can’t,'” he chuckled. “I should get it taken out of the dictionary. Maybe that’s my next chore.”
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