Airport expanding while transfer talks in limbo

PENTICTON – Expansion of the Penticton Regional Airport continues while talks with the federal government over local management of the facility appear to be in limbo.

Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen director and Penticton mayor Andrew Jakubeit noted those facts following the announcement of a contract award to Penticton based Greyback Construction for expansion of the airports' departure waiting lounge.

Transport Canada spokesperson Sau Sau Liu says Transport Canada’s discussions with local governments regarding takeover of the airport are "exploratory only,” noting they does not have a dedicated program to support the transfer of airports.

Liu says there has been no change with respect to ownership at the Penticton Regional Airport.

The $866,901 airport expansion project is scheduled to get underway September 2 with a completion date set for February of 2016, according to Greyback project manager Mike Jareb.

The project involves renovation and expansion of the existing lounge, to be completed in four phases. When completed there will be a total of 2,400 square feet of lounge area with washrooms and a much improved view overlooking the apron and runway, Jereb says.

The work should not affect passengers at the airport, as construction is expected to take place between 8 p.m and 4:30 a.m., seven days a week. The renovation areas will be closed for construction during those hours, Liu says.

Statistics show usership of the airport is on the rise. In 2013, 89,948 passengers passed through the terminal gates. That number rose to 104,020 in 2014, and from January to June of this year, 64,641 passengers have passed through the facility.

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