The Estevan Regional Airport celebrated its resurfaced runways during a rededication ceremony on Tuesday afternoon.
The ceremony took place just before a performance by Moose Jaw stunt pilot Brent Handy and the Snowbirds military aerobatics team, so a large crowd was at the airport to witness the festivities.
The runway restoration was completed a year ago, but the airport committee thought an air show would be a good time for the ceremony.
The runway project stemmed from the flood of 2011 in southeast Saskatchewan, which damaged the runways and other areas of the airport. And since a flood damaged the runways, the City of Estevan was able to access funding from the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program (PDAP) for the repairs.
PDAP contributed the bulk of the $4.6 million resurfacing costs.
“We had a lack of a drainage system out here prior to 2011, so it really wreaked havoc with the runways, and really necessitated the rebuild,” said Councillor Greg Hoffort, who is a member of the airport liaison committee.
He predicted the runways should now be good for the next 30 years.
Hoffort noted that as part of the project, the following upgrades were made: more than five kilometres of weeping tile was installed; 51 million gallons of water were pumped from the site; two dry wells were installed and four additional exits for the water were created; about 18,000 tonnes of asphalt and 30,000 tonnes of gravel were hauled in; and lights were reinstalled for the runway.
The new drainage system received a good test during the July 10 storm in Estevan, and Hoffort said it worked flawlessly.
“We’re very thankful that it was done, because we wouldn’t be here today for the air show if it wasn’t for this project,” said Hoffort.
Hoffort also paid tribute to airport manager Richard Reetz for the many hours that he spent at the airport during the project, and the airport liaison committee for their support.
Several other dignitaries spoke during the event, including Mayor Roy Ludwig, Estevan MLA Lori Carr, Souris-Moose Mountain MP Robert Kitchen and Sen. Denise Batters, whose late husband, Dave, was born in Estevan.
The Snowbirds supplied commemorative photos that were handed out to organizations and individuals, including the City of Estevan, the Rural Municipality of Estevan, and Kelly Panteluk Construction, which played a key role in the improvements at the airport. Reetz and Stu McMurtry, who is a long-standing member of the airport committee, also received photos.
A plaque was unveiled to celebrate the runways’ completion.
