Campbell River Airport (YBL) News

Ready for Takeoff: Ground Breaking Event Held

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 12:00:00 GMT

The $8.3 million Airport Runway Extension project officially broke ground today with federal, provincial and community partners on site to mark the occasion. This significant capital works project will result in two major upgrades: the runway will be extended by 1500 feet to achieve a length of 6500 feet and the airport terminal building will be modernized.

These upgrades will allow a broader range of aircraft to use the airport. They also support the expansion of aviation-related business, industry and training opportunities in Campbell River, and help to improve the passenger experience.

"This project is a vital part of the City's efforts to expand our options for economic growth," said Mayor Charlie Cornfield of Campbell River. "It will help to open business doors and encourage opportunities in a range of areas."

Special guests joining Mayor Cornfield and Council for the ground breaking included John Henderson, Councillor with the Campbell River Indian Band; John Duncan, Member of Parliament for Vancouver Island North; MLA Ron Cantelon from Parksville-Qualicum representing the Province of BC, and Mayor Barry Janyk of Gibsons in his role as Board Chair for the Island Coastal Trust. Also in attendance were a range of airport terminal tenants, airport neighbors, and members of local aviation-related businesses.

Funding for the $8.3 million project is provided by the federal and provincial governments through the Building Canada Fund. Each level of senior government is contributing $2.78M to the project. The Island Coastal Economic Trust is contributing $2.3M towards to project. Campbell River is able to borrow up to $500k from existing airport reserves.

"This project will not only create jobs for the residents of Campbell River, but will also build a foundation for future growth and prosperity. The opportunity for growth is unique as few other airports possess the combination of central geographic location and availability of nearby developable land," said Vancouver Island North MP John Duncan. "The federal government with Canada's Economic Action Plan is committed to funding important infrastructure improvements and putting people to work," added Duncan.

"Investments like this runway expansion, will really capitalize on Campbell River's potential as a transportation hub for Vancouver Island and give the community the opportunity to continue to diversify and grow the local economy," says Parksville-Qualicum MLA Ron Cantelon.

Island Coastal Economic Trust Chair Barry Janyk stated, "The improvements to YBL will help grow the City and region into a new transportation hub providing fresh opportunities in areas previously unknown. The Trust appreciates the opportunity to be a part of the future of Campbell River."

"This is a significant milestone to mark the beginning of new economic opportunities for the North Island," said Comox Valley MLA Don McRae via e-mail, prior to the event. "This expansion creates construction jobs in the short-term and will be a great benefit to the residents and visitors."

As part of funding requirements the City must complete the project by March 31, 2011. Construction is underway this month and is estimated to run until March 2011. Normal airport operations will be maintained throughout construction, with one alteration: the runway threshold will be moved to 4000 feet during construction hours to accommodate construction activity.

For more information visit the Airport Upgrade pages on the City of Campbell River website http://www.campbellriver.ca/ and on the YBL website: http://www.crairport.ca/

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Contact:

Marci Hotsenpiller

Communications, Airport Upgrade Project

Tel: 250-203-7867

AirportUpgrade@campbellriver.ca

Council Awards Runway Construction Tender to Wacor Holdings

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Work on the Campbell River Airport project is moving forward with the award of the tender for the runway extension construction work.

The tender was awarded during the June 22 City of Campbell River Council meeting, to Wacor Holdings Ltd. of Campbell River.

Construction at the airport has been broken into several phases. The two main projects are the runway extension work and improvements to the airport terminal building. The design for the runway extension was completed in May by EBA Engineering Consultants Ltd. of Kelowna. The design work for the terminal building upgrade, also by EBA, is beginning. Design work is expected to be completed this fall, to be followed immediately by construction.

Construction on the runway extension will begin in early July, following the NAV Canada work at the south end of the runway. The construction tender for the terminal building work will be posted on the City of Campbell River site in the fall of 2010, with construction estimated to start November 2010 and be completed by March 31, 2011.

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Contact:

Marci Hotsenpiller
Communications, Airport Upgrade Project
Tel: 250-203-7867

City Posts Tender Invite for Airport Runway Extension, NAV Canada Begins National Upgrade Work

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Work on the Campbell River Airport project is moving forward with the posting of an invitation to tender for the runway extension construction work, posted last week. The tender is set to close June 15, 2010. The City has already had interest from firms and suppliers as far away as the UK.

"We're pleased with the interest we've been getting on this project," said Ron Neufeld, general manager of operations at the City of Campbell River. "The success of this project will be measured by our ability to complete the work within a very tight timeline. With the level of interest we have received so far, we're expecting to receive competitive bids."

The tender is posted on the City of Campbell River website under Bid Opportunities. (More information is available by contacting the City's Facilities and Supply Management Department at 250-286-5766.)

Coinciding with the runway extension work, NAV Canada, the country's civil air navigation services provider, will replace the existing runway's Instrument Landing System (ILS) localizer, glide path electronics and antenna systems. This work is part of a national upgrade program separate from the runway extension project and was initially scheduled for future years. However NAV Canada has agreed to schedule the ILS replacement to coincide with the runway extension to minimize operational impact to the airport. This work is currently getting underway at the south end of the runway with the replacement of the ILS localizer antenna system and electronics. NAV Canada's work at the north end is scheduled for the fall in coordination with the City's runway extension work.

"We are confident the extension of the runway and improvements to the terminal building will open doors for economic growth and diversification," said Mayor Charlie Cornfield. "Airports grow in this way-over time through upgrades and enhancements-as funds are available. This is a major step forward for Campbell River."

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Contact:

Marci Hotsenpiller
Communications, Airport Upgrade Project
Tel: 250-203-7867
marci.hotsenpiller@campbellriver.ca