Kamloops Airport calling on federal government to fund much-needed equipment

KAMLOOPS – The Kamloops Airport is asking for funding from the federal government to ensure runways are safe as possible this winter.

Managing director of the airport Fred Legace says one of the airport's two snow plows needs to be replaced and it will cost "somewhere in the neighbourhood of $170,000."

“The plow trucks are used in the winter time," Legace says. "They’re a piece of equipment we rely heavily on.”

Legace says the plows are used to ensure aircraft have a safe, smooth landing when they hits the runway. 

One of the airport's two plows needs to be replaced since maintenance has become more frequently needed, and parts are becoming harder to get.

Legace says the airport is asking for the federal government to cover half of the total cost through the Airports Capital Assistance Program, a fund created by the government to help out smaller airports.

"The program has been undergoing structural changes since the new government took over," Legace says.

Legace says the government is now getting ready to accept applications for funding.

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