The Yorkton Municipal Airport will see $800,000 invested in maintenance and upgrades thanks to two grants from the provincial and federal governments, plus matching funds from the City.
Yorkton was among 15 airports which have been approved for grants through the provincial Community Airport Partnership (CAP) program. For the third straight year, the government will provide $700,000 to CAP, which is designed to help offset costs for various upgrades and repairs.
Yorkton will receive $150,000 for runway and taxiway repairs, drainage rehabilitation, fencing, apron and taxiway expansion
Joshua Mickleborough, Manager of Engineering Services with the City said the provincial money, which is matched locally is used primarily for maintenance projects.
In the case of the drainage project Mickleborough said there is a major drainage system installed when the airport was part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan during World War Two. He said the work this summer will be to rehabilitate portions of the drainage system, including holding ponds.
Community airports were able to apply for funding for projects supporting economic development, general access to surrounding communities, air ambulances, commercial operations and aviation safety. Airports that receive scheduled passenger service are not eligible for the program.
"Our government continues to place a high priority on our airport infrastructure," Highways and Infrastructure Minister Don McMorris said in a prepared release. "A safe and strong network of airports ensures the Saskatchewan advantage for businesses and communities province-wide."
Esterhazy also received $50,890 for a beacon, windsock and runway crack sealing under CAP.
Yorkton also accessed $250,000 through the federal government's Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund, said Mickleborough, money which again must be matched with local municipal dollars already allocated in the 2013 budget.
The combined $500,000 will be used for airport upgrades and improvements, including the installation of precision approach path lights. Mickleborough said the lights flash in pre-determined patterns indicating if landing aircraft are approaching at too high an elevation, too low, or are coming in at proper levels. The lights are an aid to pilots.
Other upgrades will include an apron expansion, and runway line painting.
"It's preserving the runway," said Mickleborough.
Work associated with both grant funding initiatives is planned to be carried out in the current year.
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