September 16, 2009
Vanderhoof Airport Upgrades Expanded

VANDERHOOF- Plans to upgrade Vanderhoof Airport have progressed so successfully that $78,000 in project savings will now go directly toward even further airport safety and technology improvements.

“Vanderhoof has handled this project very effectively and have delivered it $78,000 under budget, so I am quite pleased to announce that the savings will remain with the airport for further enhancements,” says Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad. “Our little airport has a lot of potential for a new pilot learning facility. This money is really going to help us to acquire the technology we need to further improve safety at our airport.”

“The District of Vanderhoof wants to thank the Provincial Government for being a big part of the upgrade to our Airport,” says Vanderhoof Mayor Gerry Thiessen. “The funding we have secured from various sources will allow us to install a GPS system, a weather station, aircraft tracking and to undertake a development plan which will go along with the lighting system which was completed earlier this summer.  This infrastructure will be a significant economic driver for our community and the airport development plan will help to make strategic decisions on the future expansion of this facility.”

The $78,000 in savings is part of an existing contribution of $388,000, which was used to purchase and install airfield lighting at the Vanderhoof Airport. An amendment to the conditional contribution agreement will expand the scope for which the approved funds can be used.

“Because we were able to come in under budget, we were able to work with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to free up the remaining funds towards other airport improvement initiatives,” adds Rustad. "Everyone involved in the project deserves a big pat on the back for getting this done."

The excess $78,000 is expected to go towards the development of a GPS approach for the airport, an automated weather observation system and an automated aircraft tracking system.

The Transportation Partnerships Program (TPP) is a conditional contribution program through which the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure funds capital works at public use air and marine ports throughout British Columbia. Since 2003/04, $66 million in TPP funds have been applied to air and marine projects throughout British Columbia, including $36 million toward projects at over 30 airports.

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