Airport gets additional $150K

City council ponied up an additional $150,000 for Yorkton Airport capital improvements at its regular meeting June 10.

Gord Shaw, director of planning and engineering told council that Engineering Services had applied for $169,500 and received $150,000 funding from the Province's Community Airport Improvements (CAP) grant program. The application included runway surface repairs, drainage rehabilitation and fencing to the tune of $338,000.

The CAP program provides grants on a 50/50 cost sharing basis so in order to take advantage of the funds the City needs to match the grant, which was not budgeted

Shaw argued that adding the funds to the airport budget this year will provide future benefits.

"Since most of the airside capital work (fences) will be completed this year, the city can undertake fewer capital projects in the next five years and put money in reserve that can be used at the end of that period for work on the paved runway," he said.

Furthermore, Shaw said, the City has the money in year-end surplus and the opportunity is too good to pass up.

"Matching the provincial grant allows the city to accomplish work with 50-cent dollars," he said. "Given the demands elsewhere in city infrastructure, Engineering services believes the city should take advantage of the 50-cent dollars and seeks an additional $150,000."

After council passed a motion by Coun. Les Arnelian to approve the funding, Coun. Chris Wyatt took the opportunity to thank the Yorkton Airport Authority administration for doing an outstanding job in obtaining funding to improve the airport.