City of Powell River Council was able to meet a very tight deadline and submit two Powell River airport projects for grant funding.
At the Thursday, June 18, council meeting, Councillor Rob Southcott said there was a short time and opportunity for the city to apply for grant funding from the provincial government for the airport.
He said there is thought to be a reasonably good chance of receiving these grants because there has already been a significant amount of work done on the preparation toward the projects that were submitted.
“Even though the provincial government has given communities a very short time window to apply, there is a much greater chance of actually getting the money when you have a plan ready to go,” Southcott said.
“Fortunately, our staff, and our director of infrastructure in particular, have actually got this work done, so we are hoping and confident that is going to contribute to money coming from the province to support these projects.”
The airport is a critical part of the economic revitalization plan of the city.
Southcott recommended that the applications to the BC Air Access Program for the extension of the runway and improvements to the terminal building and parking lot at the airport be endorsed, and that the matching contribution for both projects be allocated from the Community Works Fund. Council carried the motion unanimously.
At the Tuesday, June 16, committee of the whole meeting, Tor Birtig, director of infrastructure, said the city received word that the ministry of transportation and infrastructure had approved the BC Air Access Program (BCAAP). It was a little more than a week prior to the committee meeting that the city received word and the deadline for application was June 22.
“These projects must be at a stage where design is complete and the project is ready to tender,” Birtig said.
The runway extension was approved by council in April. This would increase the effective runway length by 300 feet, stretching the runway to 3,900 feet. This project includes repainting pavement markings, extension of lighting, lowering hydro poles and removal of trees east of the runway.
“It is estimated that an increase in length to 3,900 feet would increase the passenger capacity of Pacific Coastal Airlines to 91 per cent, which will result in an additional 1,380 passengers per year,” Birtig said.
In a report to the committee, Birtig stated that detailed design for this project has begun and will be complete in August. Construction is scheduled to be complete by the end of the year.
The other project is a terminal building and parking lot upgrade. In 2008, design was completed for an upgrade to the terminal building. The first phase involved closing in the baggage area. The second phase would include the removal of the two unused office spaces, a new heating and cooling system, as well as siding, windows, flooring and doors.
The city is also looking at upgrades to the parking lot, which would include pedestrian sidewalks and walkways, a bus stop loop, additional parking spaces, asphalt pavement replacement, drainage systems and lighting.
For the runway extension, total cost would be $320,000. Under this program, $240,000 could be eligible for a grant, leaving the city with an $80,000 contribution from the Community Works Fund.
For the terminal building and parking lot upgrade, the total bill would be $1.056 million, with a $792,000 contribution from BCAAP, leaving the city with a $264,000 contribution from the Community Works Fund.
If the city is successful in receiving the grant money, the total Community Works Fund contribution for the airport would be $344,000.
Birtig said because of the very narrow timeline for submissions, a number of airports will not be able to apply because they do not have fully developed, or “shelf ready” plans.
“It’s unfortunate for most but we happen to be somewhat ready in this regard,” he said. “We are hopeful that we can receive some of the money that is available.”
