By Geoff Smith (@smithco on Twitter)

Government dollars to update airport master plan

Apr 27, 2017 | 12:40 PM

LETHBRIDGE – Lorne Hickey says it’s the first thing any new business asks about: the airport.

The reeve of Lethbridge County says work can begin right away on updating and expanding the aiport master plan, thanks to $90,000 in new funding from the province. Environment minister Shannon Phillips announced the funding from the the Community and Regional Economic Support program, which is now going into its second intake.

Hickey hopes that a more efficiently-run airport can be marketed to appeal to potential new carriers, increasing service to and from Lethbridge.

“Right now we’re serving a hub in Calgary. And it wouldn’t matter if it was Calgary or it was WestJet. We’re still serving a hub in Calgary,” he said. The hope, Hickey explained, is to attract one of the new low-cost carriers coming onto the scene.

He also expects it to recommend a new independent model for running the airport, such as an authority or commission, out of the hands of any government. Once that’s done, the county and city of Lethbridge would have to sit down together to determine how to move forward wtih that, including funding.

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Hickey said the facilities are mostly up-to-date and well-run, with runways and taxiways that have been kept up to standard. He said the interior of the terminal, particularly washrooms, may need some work.

“The first key to successful economic development is planning,” Phillips said. “I’ve heard a lot from the business community; I’ve heard a lot from citizens; and I’ve heard a lot from the municipalities about the airport and the future of the airport here in Lethbridge.” She said it was identified by her and fellow Lethbridge MLA Maria Fitzpatrick as a priority when the two were first elected.

“We have to make sure the airport isn’t the thing holding us back,” she added.

Hickey hopes to have the new plan complete in six to seven months.