The B.C. government is spending $11 million to help upgrade dozens of smaller airports in the province, including three on Vancouver Island.
Nearly $1.5 million is going to airports in Campbell River, Tofino and Comox, the province announced Tuesday.
The funding is coming from the BC Air Access Program (BCAAP) which was established in 2017, partly so the province could help support air ambulances, wildfire suppression and other emergency services in more remote areas of B.C.
“Airports play a key role in bringing together communities and people, and provide the vital links that keep goods moving and our economy strong,” said Dan Coulter, B.C. Minister of State for Infrastructure and Transit in a release Tuesday.
“This provincial support will help our regional airports with a wide range of upgrades that will increase safety, reliability and capacity for the services that British Columbians rely on, including access to health care and support for firefighting,” he said.
Island funding
On Vancouver Island, nearly $1 million is going to the Campbell River Airport.
The North Island airport is receiving $996,100 to install new fuel storage systems at the property.
Meanwhile, the Tofino-Long Beach Airport is receiving $271,700 to add a back-up generator to its facility in case of emergencies.
The Comox Valley Airport is also receiving $220,000 to replace its diesel ground power unit with an electric unit.
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The three Vancouver Island airports are among 24 airports in the province that are receiving funding through the BCAAP.
Some of the other larger ticket items include a $2 million runway rehabilitation project in Terrace, and a $1.8 million boost to upgrade aircraft taxi lanes in Kamloops.
The full list of projects receiving funding can be found on the Province of B.C. website.
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Adam Chan
