Airport plan soaring
September 22, 2009 | Omineca Express
Upgrades to the Vanderhoof airport have progressed successfully with more improvements coming in the future.
“Tendering resulted in a bid that was significantly less than had been projected, primarily because of slow down in the economy and increased competition for work,” said District of Vanderhoof economic development officer Kathie LaForge. “We approached our funders to see if we could use some of this shortfall to make further improvements to the airport including an airport development plan, an automated weather observation system and an automated aircraft tracking system.”
All funders are on board, ensuring that the District can proceed with all requested airport improvements and have them completed by March 2010 at the latest.
There was a savings of $78,000 from an existing contribution of $388,000 from the Ministry of Transportation that was used to purchase and install airfield lighting at the airport.
“Vanderhoof has handled this project very effectively so I am quite pleased to announce that the savings will remain with the airport for further enhancements,” said Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad.
Additional funding for airport improvements has come from many sources including Western Economic Diversification, Community Economic Development Initiative Mountain Pine Beetle Program, Northern Development Trust, Nechako-Kitamaat Development Fund Society and the District of Vanderhoof. The total funding available is $1,631,510.
With a revised project cost of $1,166,319, the upgrades are right on target.
Vanderhoof Mayor Gerry Thiessen is excited about the possibility of using the airport to train northern pilots.
“We’re excited the College of New Caledonia is trying to see the feasibility of a commercial pilot training program,” Thiessen said, adding he is hoping to hear from the college soon as to whether the program will be able to go ahead in about two years’ time.
Thiessen said the possibility of also training people to do airplane maintenance would be beneficial because of the location of the airport.
Air traffic is considerably busier in Prince George so Vanderhoof could benefit from doing maintenance and upgrades out of our airport, he said.
The upgrades are good news for the future growth of the airport.
“The airport is that diamond in the rough when it comes to our economic diversification in the future,” Thiessen said. “It’s a gem.”
