Castlegar city council decided to move forward with creating a master planning document that will guide the expansion and operation of the West Kootenay Regional Airport (WKRA) for the next 25 years.
Council has designated the continual improvement of the WKRA as a major strategic priority as it has the potential to be one of the largest economic drivers for the entire region.
The city awarded a contract worth $97,327 to Stantec Consulting for the completion of the plan.
The master plan will provide an overview of current and future airport operations, and provide guidance to the airport on how to develop the site in the short and long term.
The scope of the report will include a site analysis and review of airport ground access, runway, taxiways, aprons, Air Terminal Building and services, hangars, vehicle and aircraft parking, air navigation infrastructure, utilities and services, airport maintenance buildings, emergency response services, noise management, environmental planning, security and land use.
The city’s 2018 budget includes $80,000 for the project. Completion of the process will bridge the 2018 and 2019 fiscal years, so the remaining amount will be added to the carry-over portion of the master plan funds in the 2019 budget.