Transport Canada has confirmed that the Penticton Airport will be receiving more than $6.4 million to invest in airport renovations and upgrades.
Transport Canada has announced it has awarded a $6,447,000 contract to Ledcor Construction Ltd. to modernize and enhance key areas of the Penticton Airport terminal building to accommodate this increased traffic and improve safety, security and the overall passenger experience.
The construction work is anticipated to begin in the spring of 2018 and will take two years to complete.
The project will reconfigure the main concourse create space for an expanded arrivals hall, baggage claim area and new food service; build new rental car kiosks; and add an additional set of washrooms.
In addition, the existing pre-board screening room, holdroom and baggage storage areas will be expanded.
This project builds on the recent holdroom expansion during the spring of 2016 that doubled seating capacity, accommodating the significant growth in aircraft movements. The holdroom seating capacity will again be expanded during this project, making it more wheelchair accessible.
“The number of passengers and aircraft using the Penticton Airport in the last two years has grown rapidly,” said federal Transport Minister Marc Garneau. “In 2014, we invested $7.53 million to repave the airport runway and taxiway as well as expand the airport’s passenger holdroom. This additional investment will enhance the airport terminal building and is important for improving airport safety and security as this busy airport that services communities within the South Okanagan.”
The Penticton Airport has experience significant growth in air traffic over the last three years as more people make their homes and do business in the region, said Garneau.
The Penticton Airport terminal building has been in service for over 50 years. It is located in the traditional territory of the Penticton Indian Band.
The Penticton Airport terminal building was originally constructed in the early 1960s as a single-storey wood-framed structure and was partially renovated and expanded in the early 1990s.
In 2016, the Penticton Airport handled 26,893 aircraft movements, an 18 per cent increase in air traffic from 2014. The passenger volume in 2016 has increased 64 per cent since 2014.
You can read more about Transport Canada by visiting the website at www.tc.gc.ca.
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