The federal and provincial governments are providing nearly $2.2 million to help the City of Moose Jaw improve its municipal airport.
The Government of Canada will invest $1.2 million through the Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada plan, while the Government of Saskatchewan will contribute $999,900, a news release explained. The municipality will contribute $500,100 and is responsible for any additional costs.
The rehabilitation and expansion of the existing runway and taxiway will help accommodate larger planes, including business class, turboprops and light jets. The construction of a new apron space will increase the parking area and allow for heavier aircraft to be parked. A new hangar access road will reduce the use of taxiways by vehicle traffic. Improvements also include the installation of an additional runway, taxiway, and approach lights.
“Today’s announcement demonstrates our continued commitment to growing our city and reinforces our confidence that Moose Jaw is moving forward,” Mayor Fraser Tolmie said in the news release. “We thank the Government of Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan for recognizing the value of this project and making significant investments.
“These improvements to the Moose Jaw Municipal Airport will benefit our local economy, and we thank the Moose Jaw Municipal Airport Authority and local business community for their hard work, support and commitment to the municipal airport.”
The Moose Jaw Municipal Airport Authority team is excited to see this runway expansion and rehabilitation of the airside buildings project start to come to fruition, said Greg Simpson, chair of the Moose Jaw Municipal Airport Authority.
“When construction is finished, these upgrades will improve safety and benefit current airport users in the health and agricultural sectors, along with potential new businesses that rely on general aviation,” he added. “This will improve access to critical health-care services and help support economic development in our community, thanks to improved transportation infrastructure. We are grateful for both the confidence demonstrated and the financial support provided.”
The federal government plans to spend $180 billion during the next 12 years to support public transit, green infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and rural and northern communities, the news release said. Of this funding, $2 billion will support infrastructure projects that meet the needs of rural and northern communities, such as for food security, access roads and enhanced broadband connectivity.
Across Saskatchewan, the Government of Canada has invested more than $715 million under the Investing in Canada plan toward 368 infrastructure initiatives.
