P.G. Centre of Attention Today

Wednesday, July 18, 2007 03:54 AM

Busy day for news conferences in Prince George today.

This morning at 10, M.P. Dick Harris will be making an announcement at Exploration Place. An hour later, Initiatives Prince George will give all the details on the special packages designed to get Calgarians to fly to Prince George (see previous story).

Then at 1:30, Minister of Natural Resources, Gary Lunn will be in Prince George to meet with media before heading off to Kamloops.

While Lunn is expected to announce the Federal Government will spend $6 million dollars to extend the Kamloops Airport’s runway by 2,000 feet to accommodate charter flights, no one at the Prince George Airport Authority is expecting Lunn to commit the funds previously promised for the extension of the P.G. runway. That money ($12 million) has been in limbo while consultants review the proposal to ensure the project is worthwhile. The Province is waiting for the Federal study results before it will jump into the project with its expected $11 million dollar share.

Lunn will likely talk about the five year funding commitment for the McGregor Model Forest projects (see previous story) which was announced earlier this month.

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Posted on Wednesday, July 18, 2007 03:54 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: YamaDooPolCat on July 18 2007 6:43 AM

"...five year funding commitment for the McGregor Model Forest projects.."

Is the federal government sending us a message? Stick to growing natural resource money for Ottawa, and leave the airport industry to other towns. Kind of keeps PG in its' place doesn't it?

Those consultants should be able to come up with a reason why the PG Airport isn't any better than Kamloops or Kelowna. That is all it takes to make sure PG doesn't try anything new.

Posted by: Palopu on July 18 2007 9:08 AM

Kamloops and Kelowna are not Airport Authoritys, and therefore do not collect Airport Improvement Fees from the flying public. Prince George Airport does to the tune of $1,500,000.00 per year. In addition Prince George Airport does not have to pay any rent/lease money to the Federal Government until 2011. They have received other funding over the past few years from the Feds, so they are not hard done by.

Kamloops and Kelowna need some improvements to their Airports because of the huge tourist trade that goes through that area. Kelowna is an International Airport with customs facilities etc; and in fact acutally has people coming there from all over the world. The Prince George Airport is an International Airport in name only. The only flights to or from a foreign country are during the winter months. 12 flights to and from Mexico.

The Prince George Airport is trying to obtain funding to expand the runway at a cost of $33,000,000.00 and at this point it appears that they do not have a business plan that would support that kind on expenditure. If they dont, then of course they shouldnt get the money. Its as simple as that.

Posted by: Bridge on July 18 2007 10:48 AM

"The Prince George Airport is an International Airport in name only."

Sounds like the Northern Capital".

Aynway we will now have people flying in from Calgary or maybe Prince George will have a fast flight out for jobs in the Stampede City. I guess we all have our dreams.

Cheers