Grant money to local airport

The Yorkton Municipal Airport has once again received funding from the province's Community Airport Partnership (CAP) program.

Through CAP the province provides $700,000 to offset costs for upgrades at municipal airports in the province. This year 15 airports received funding including Yorkton, which will receive $165,637 for runway and taxiway repairs, drainage rehabilitation, fencing, apron and taxiway expansion.

Ron Evinou, chair of the Yorkton Airport Authority said the money is welcome, adding $275,000 is the maximum one airport can receive.

"We always try to access all of it," he said. "But more and more airports are getting involved in this."

As a result the provincial money is being stretched farther.

"But we've still been able to get a very big part of the pie," said Evinou.

Evinou noted as part of CAP the provincial dollars must be matched by the municipality. As a result $340,000 will be invested at the Yorkton airport this year.

In making the recent announcement Highways and Infrastructure Minister Jim Reiter said the CAP has stayed at 2011 levels.

"I'm very pleased the provincial portion of the 50-50 cost sharing initiative will remain at $700,000 this year after being increased 40 per cent last year to meet the demand of this program," Reiter said in a release. "By partnering with communities, we're ensuring a network of airports with dependable infrastructure is in place to enhance economic development in sectors like tourism, oil and gas and agriculture as well as assist in delivering air ambulance, medivac and STARS emergency services."

It is money the sector needs.

"We appreciate the support from the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure and the various communities through this program," Saskatchewan Aviation Council President Janet Keim said. "Aviation plays an important role in the transportation sector and the Community Airport Partnership program assists in improving the overall safety at these airports."

Eligible airports were able to apply for this provincial program funding for projects supporting economic development, general access to surrounding communities, air ambulances, commercial operations and aviation safety.