Williams Lake, B.C. – The provincial government has approved the transfer of crown land to the City of Williams Lake which will provide for additional hangar space and allow future expansion of aircraft-based firefighting at the Cariboo Fire Centre.

Coralee Oakes, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development and MLA for Cariboo North, says the crown grant transfers roughly 25 hectares surrounding the Williams Lake Regional Airport to the city, which owns and operates the airport. The transfer consists of two parcels of land with a combined value of over $714,000.

The additional land will mean that the city can expand the road in front of the existing hangars to allow for additional hangars and potential lease income for the airport from private and commercial aviation companies. As well, the Cariboo Fire Centre will be able to increase its training and other facilities at the airport.

MLA Oakes says “this is great news because not only will the airport continue to be self-sustaining, but it will also generate local and regional economic benefits. As well, having land available for the expansion of the Cariboo Fire Centre means it will have additional resources to keep the region and our communities safe from the threat of wildfire.”

Williams Lake Mayor Kerry Cook says “the city is very pleased that after five years of working together, we are able to partner with the province in order to generate revenue, expand opportunities at the airport, and allow for future expansion of the Cariboo Fire Centre.”