Prince Albert Airport. (File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Ian Gustafson

Federal Support

Prince Albert and La Ronge airports to receive $3.3 million for safety projects

May 19, 2021 | 3:13 PM

The Government of Canada has announced they’re investing $3.3 million into safety projects for airports in Prince Albert and La Ronge as part of Transport Canada’s Airports Capital Assistance Program.

According to a media release, La Ronge Airport will be receiving $110,000 for the purchase of a wet and dry material spreader. Prince Albert Airport will be receiving $3,211,844 for the rehabilitation of the airfield electrical system and $58,812 for improvements to airfield drainage.

Prince Albert Airport manager Corey Nygaard said the money they will receive for the rehabilitation of the airfield electrical system will be used for new airfield LED lighting, including runway, taxiway, and apron lights which will replace their incandescent lights.

“They take more power so these will be more equally bright, which is an important regulatory requirement because the old systems are so old that the equal brightness is becoming a bit of a difficult task for us to address,” Nygaard said.

He explained the lights and the system cost $3.2 million because “you can’t buy them at Canadian Tire.”

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“The regulation for aviation lighting is very stringent so they’re very precise and there’s only a couple places in Canada that even make them,” Nygaard said.

The funds for airfield drainage will further improve water drainage from spring melt and heavy rains.

“That is to keep the water off the movement surfaces, the paved surfaces the planes would use,” he said, adding if the water pools it could potentially damage the underground components of the airfield lights.

They’ve done a series of drainage improvements in the last few years, and Nygaard said after this new system is installed, they will not feed further drainage upgrades.

“It’s very advantageous to have the federal support and it’s greatly appreciated,” he added.

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Ian.gustafson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @iangustafson12