Community airports receive another lift
The Government of Saskatchewan is investing $850,000 in cost-shared grants to 21 community airports across the province. The 50/50 cost sharing grant goes toward repairs and upgrades through the Community Airport Partnership (CAP) program.
"Community and regionally-owned airports play a key role in providing vital services like air ambulance, law enforcement and firefighting," Highways Minister Jeremy Cockrill said. "They also help support local and regional economic development in rural and northern communities. Partnerships with the communities continue to lead to important upgrades and maintenance for local airports.”
Photo: kindersley.ca
Grants are cost-shared up to a maximum amount of $275,000. CAP is designed to help offset safety-related improvements such as upgrades to runways and taxiways, lighting, security fencing and navigational systems.
Airports in the west central area that are benefiting from the CAP program this year include:
Kindersley - $8,163 - Runway lighting upgrade, and crack sealing of runway.
Luseland - $3,393 - Airport electrical upgrade.
North Battleford - $75,000 - Installation of backup power generator at the runway light control building.
"Improvements to airports in our smaller communities helps them reach their potential and value economically and socially," Saskatchewan Aviation Council President Janet Keim said. "As I like to say - a mile of highway gets you a mile down the road; a mile of runway gets you the world.”
All future application dates have been adjusted following consultation with communities and airport users. An additional application period will occur in September 2023 for projects to be undertaken in the 2024-25 fiscal year.
Projects are evaluated based on improving safety, extending life cycle of the asset, airport utilization, economic benefits and partnership opportunities.
Since 2007-08, more than $10 million has been invested into 42 different community airports.
Interested communities can find out more about the program here at www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/transportation/airports/community-airport-partnership-cap-program.