Vanderhoof Airport to Operate Round the Clock

Sunday, September 07, 2008 03:55 AM

Vanderhoof, B.C.- A $1.6 million upgrade to the Vanderhoof Municipal Airport will improve access and create new economic opportunities in the region.

The project, which is slated to be complete by November 2009, will see the installation of runway lighting and GPS navigation systems. The upgrade will allow aircraft to use the airport day and night, in most weather conditions.

“The pine beetle has created a need to diversify our economy,” Vanderhoof Mayor Len Fox said. “We’re working on 15 projects to achieve that… and this is one of the key ones.”

The Northern Development Initiative Trust partnered with the District of Vanderhoof, Western Economic Diversification Canada, B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Nechako-Kitimat Development Fund to finance the project. On Sept. 4, Northern Development announced over $466,000 in grants and interest-free loans for the development.

Currently the airport only has one year-round commercial user, Fox said. A report conducted for the district in 2005 indicated the expansion could generate up to 25 direct jobs in Vanderhoof and contribute $2 million in economic activity.

One use being considered for the upgraded runway is the development of a professional flying school.

Northern Development has contributed $17,806 for the College of New Caledonia to fund a feasibility study on the concept.CNC associate regional director Maureen Mallais said the college considered developing a pilot training program before, but the timing wasn’t right.

“In the past we didn’t have the 24-7 access, and there was a recent expansion of the runway in 2006,” Mallais said. “It’s in this wonderful plateau – it’s a wonderful training space for pilots.”

Airlines are facing an aging workforce and pilot training programs in the Lower Mainland and Castlegar currently have long waiting lists, Mallais said. The study will quantify domestic and international demand for pilot training and develop a business case for the school.

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Posted on Sunday, September 07, 2008 03:55 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: Harbinger on September 7 2008 4:29 PM

Are they gonna bring back the Vanderhoof Air Show? The one PG stole? And ruined? Hope they do. Maybe fuel prices won't let anyone have an airshow anymore. Wish, wish, wish. If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.

Posted by: Palopu on September 8 2008 4:53 PM

Maybe they can reinforce their Airport runway and expand it to 11,400 ft then they would be in a position to handle all the overflow of wide body cargo jets from the Prince George Airport. Eventually they would be able to tie into the Container Traffic from Prince Rupert, and set up some major warehousing and distribution facilities. In addition they would get all kinds of revenue for refueling, plus landing and take off fees.

They would be 70 miles closer to China than Prince George which would make them a major competitor.

Have a nice day.