City of Powell River has received its airport master plan, which provides a 25-year vision for Powell River Airport.
At the December 15 committee of the whole meeting, director of properties, development and communications Scott Randolph introduced the report, which was funded by the BC Rural Dividend Fund for $64,000 and the city for $16,000. According to Randolph’s report to council, the primary goal in formulating the plan was to create a 25-year vision for managing and operating the airport in a safe, secure and efficient manner, to maximize future operational capabilities and commercial revenues, and achieve ongoing financial viability.
Randolph, at the committee meeting, said the master plan was a council initiative in 2018 and is embedded in the corporate strategic plan for 2020 to 2022. He said council gave the go-ahead to apply for funding from the province to formulate the master plan for the airport.
In April 2019 the city was approved for the $80,000 project.
Committee of the whole received a presentation from the consultants who carried out the study. Phil Van Manen, one of the consultants appearing before the committee virtually, said Powell River Airport is situated on 200 acres of property with an annual passenger count in non-COVID-19 times of 40,000. He said that could grow to something more significant over the 25-year period outlined in the study.
He said most important is the airline service provided by Pacific Coastal Airlines. He said the community is provided a regularly scheduled air service to a major hub airport in Vancouver that provides ongoing destination opportunities for travellers. He said that will support ongoing growth and diversity of the community.
Van Manen said he was highlighting the airline service because of the requirements it would take for the airport to maintain and keep the air service viable. He said for a small community population, there is a very good air service.
According to Van Manen, there will be significant investment at the airport with new development happening in the northeast corner. There will be a new aviation fuel service going into the airport, he said, which should attract some additional users in future.
Van Manen outlined a priority for the airport, which is runway rehabilitation; he said it is the most important project being contemplated. He said the plan calls for narrowing the runway to 100 feet wide and extending the runway eastward similar to what has been accomplished at the west end of the runway.
“That would improve the economics for the air carrier operated by Pacific Coastal,” said Van Manen.
He said another significant project is lighting, making it more sustainable by using LED illumination.
Van Manen said several other investments will be required to be compliant with Transport Canada’s standards. The landfill capping at the east end of the runway is a priority before any expansion can be done, he added.
Councillor George Doubt said he thought it was a great report and he enjoyed going through the statistics. He said the vision and layout of the funding possibilities is interesting.
Doubt said he hopes the city can access a grant for capping the old landfill site at the east side of the runway.
He said he had a question about narrowing the runway and he could see how it would be less expensive if the entire runway was being repaved, to pave 100 feet wide instead of 150 feet, which is the current width. He asked if it is wise to make it that much narrower and if that limits the size of aircraft that can use the runway.
Van Manen said it’s believed the runway will be available for the airport capital assistance program from the federal government. He said aircraft landing at the airport would not be Boeing 737s or aircraft of that size. He said the type of aircraft that would service the community could operate on a 100-foot width.
Randolph said he was pleased with the document consultants had prepared.
“It gives a clear strategy for the next 25 years of where to take this airport and what needs to be done to get us there,” said Randolph. “This isn’t something that is going to go up on the shelf and gather dust. It’s a living document that we are going to follow and implement as we can financially.”
Mayor Dave Formosa said it was a great report.
“This is a great day,” he said. “We’ve been talking about this airport for a very long time and it’s finally happening. We are hoping in the new year we’ll see foundations start on the aviation park. We now have a clear, decisive plan to move forward. It gives us options. The study is professional and well thought-out.”
The committee sent the study to city council for approval.
