Red Deer County council is confident its most recent $3.75 million investment in Red Deer Regional Airport will pay off.
“This is of mutual benefit, not only for the city and the county, but the whole region,” said Coun. Christine Moore on Tuesday.
The county has backed the airport for many years during which time there have been ups and downs, she said.
“We’ve always kept the faith and I really believe this is a game-changer for this area. The timing could not be better.”
The Alberta government announced $7.5 million in funding for airport improvements last month. The county and City of Red Deer committed to matching the funding with $3.75 million each.
The money will go towards an $18 million project to widen the main runway to 45 metres from 30 metres, upgrading a taxiway and apron and build a new terminal, which is expected to be key to attracting a low-cost passenger carrier.
The county had set aside about $2 million in its 2022 budget as a placeholder for airport improvements. However, when it became apparent the province was going to make its cash available this year, council had to approve adding about another $1.7 million to the budget. A motion to that effect was unanimously approved on Tuesday.
“I really like this. I think it’s good for the economy in the area,” said Coun. Lonny Kennett.
Mayor Jim Wood was pleased that the county’s contribution could be leveraged as part of a larger funding commitment.
Once completed, the airport upgrade is “very likely to change the economy of this area in a positive manner,” said Wood.
“It’s not just the taxes. It’s the jobs and the stability it will bring and the diversity it will bring to ourselves.”
Airport CEO Graham Ingham was optimistic when the provincial funding was announced that Red Deer will attract a low-cost air carrier along the lines of Swoop Airlines, Flair Air or Canada’s newest ultra-low-cost carrier, Lynx Air.
Upgrading the airport is also expected to make it easier to attract transportation and aviation-related businesses. The airport has more than 200 acres of land available for development.
Coun. Connie Huelsman could see a company, such as Amazon, taking an interest in the airport as a possible distribution site.