Vernon Council endorses airport plan

At Monday’s Regular Open Council Meeting, Council endorsed the Vernon Regional Airport Master Plan, providing direction for the future development of the airport over the next 20 years. The planning process began in October 2014, and consisted of extensive public participation, including consultation with residents, aviation and business stakeholders, the Okanagan Indian Band and Locatees. Engagement consisted of interviews, workshops, surveys and public open houses.

The Vernon Regional Airport Master Plan identifies new facilities and improvements to existing facilities over the next 20 years, including:

• Providing more hangar and tie down areas along Captain Bailey Way;
• Rehabilitating, but not extending, of the runway;
• Constructing of a runway holding bay (Turning D);
• Relocating the visual guidance indicators and threshold markings;
• Constructing Taxiway Echo and rehabilitating Taxiways Alpha and Bravo;
• Constructing a new apron and rehabilitate existing aprons;
• Providing more tie-down areas;
• Constructing a paved helipad;
• Improving lighting and marking;
• Upgrading and improving the terminal building to a permanent structure;
• Constructing a new airport operations shop and vehicle storage building;
• Improving perimeter security;
• Implementing an aircraft movement monitoring system;
• Constructing a new parking area for general aviation users;
• Developing an airport landscaping plan;
• Developing a new Vernon Regional Airport brand and directional signage;
• Incorporating design guidelines for new development into the Official Community Plan; and
• Exploring the potential for employment lands north of the airport.

The estimated cost of implementing the Master Plan is $2.49 million. A funding plan is expected to be provided for Council’s consideration in February 2017. Click here for more information and for copies of the plan.