New Construction at the Kelowna Airport

[DuaneT]

City Council will be asked today to approve a bid for the expansion of the arrivals area at the Kelowna International Airport. This is required becuase there as been a 19% increase in the amount of traffic between this time last year and this year. Also it is important that the international arrivals area be expanded by December, partly to accommodate Harmony Airway's Honolulu service beginning this fall. ;D

Just another sign that not only is Kelowna growing but the entire southern half of the province looks to Kelowna as a regional hub.

Read the information below.

www.kelowna.ca/CityPage/Docs/PDFs%5CCouncil%5CMeetings%5C2005%2D07%2D25%5CItem%206%2E5%20%2D%202005%20Air%20Terminial%20Rehabilitation%20%2D%20Kelowna%20International%20Airport.pdf

[DuaneT]

Kelowna International Airport Tri-City Contracting Ltd. was awarded a $2,378,900 contract for construction of an expansion to the Air Terminal Building at Kelowna International Airport.

[DuaneT]

Kelowna International Airport will hopefully be receiving federal funding to extend the runway at the airport. This runway extension will make Kelowna more of an international destination bringing people here to enjoy our ski hills, wineries and our natural beauty. For us, it will open the door for direct flights from Kelowna to Europe and possibility Australia. To extend the runway to the required length of 9000 ft, the Federal Government has to come forward with 1.35 million dollars. The Province has already come up with 1.35 million dollars. The Airport administration has to know within the next few weeks if the money is coming so they can start the process and have the runway extension finished by 2008. This would open the door for using Kelowna as a major airport for the Olympics and showcasing our area to increase tourism to our valley. ;D

If the federal government can not come up with the money then I believe the city should come up with the 1.35 million dollar share as it will come back to community 100 fold in tourism dollars.

[DuaneT]

I am glad to hear that the provincial government as decided to release their share of the money so we can get started with the extension of the runway. I understand the ski industry expects 9000 visitors a year from European destinations. I would say that they are underestimating the impact this project will have, not only for them but for the entire valley.

[DuaneT]

The airport will be asking for a 45 million dollar loan to contuine with it's improvements. Here are some of the details.

www.castanet.net/edition/news-story-33652-1-.htm#33652

[guest]

Do you mean by this that Aqua will have high rise buildings? Thought this is being presented as 24 residential build lots only. Don't see any reference on the website to highrise buildings.

[KevDreger]

^^Uhhh, I think you posted in the wrong section haha.

[DuaneT]

Here is a story about how our local ski hills feel about the expansion:

www.castanet.net/edition/news-story-33844-1-.htm#33844