Airport Master Plan presented at CIC meeting outlines short, medium- & long-term goals

The Lethbridge Airport terminal hasn’t changed much since 1979

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Outside of the building, parking demands are exceeding capacity, while the pumphouse needs replacing and an overflow lot should be added.

Runways, taxiways and aprons need rehabilitation, while replacement of airfield electrical equipment needs to be considered.

The total cost of the project at this time is estimated at roughly $35.5 million, with more than $14 million needed in both the short and medium terms, and another $7 million in the long term.

City Manager Bramwell Strain says there are a few sources of funding they’ll be considering.

“We’re looking at the federal government through some funding they provide to airports. So that’ll be our number one, and they provide based on passenger loads….after that we are looking at (the) provincial government to support some of our asks through the ‘Building Canada Fund,’ which is…a federal program but the provincial government has to support that.”

And of course, he adds, with a change in government Strain says there could also be new funding programs available in the future, so the City needs to make sure it has shovel ready plans if that becomes the case.

Finally, the City of Lethbridge itself will likely end up funding part of the expansion or upgrades through its own infrastructure planning. However, Strain says getting funding from other levels of government has worked for other airports in the past.

“Other airports have been very successful at getting money for total rebuilds or renovations so that’s where advocacy comes in place.”

Compared with other regional airports, like those in Charlottetown, Kamloops, Abbotsford and other cities, Mayor Chris Spearman says Lethbridge has some work to do. Of utmost importance he believes, is retaining the services now provided by Air Canada and WestJet.

“I think it would really be a devastating blow to the City if either one of the airlines curtailed services to the City of Lethbridge. So… now that we have both airlines functioning from here again… we need to make sure we retain them here and that we continue to increase passenger volumes at the airport.

“We have a 40-year-old terminal. And if we want to attract modern air passengers, we have to upgrade that terminal as a priority. We need to provide the modern services that are available at every other airport. That’s why those other airports are successful.”

In 1990, Lethbridge’s airport saw nearly 120,000 passengers. The numbers then plummeted to a low of just 53,470 in 2003 and rose to more than 57,000 in 2018. However, in 2018 that increased to more than 87,000.

Aircraft takeoffs and landings also increased between 2017 and 2018, from about 25,300 to more than 29,000.

Stephane Leclair, Senior Aviation Planner, echoes the mayor’s sentiments.

“The number one priority is keeping momentum going from the new air service and the current recommitment to the airport from the general community. From an infrastructure perspective, there are definitely some low-lying fruit opportunities within the terminal building to improve passenger experience and help the overall retention of passengers is critical to the airport.”

That said, the city is hoping to make a significant impact on passengers shortly after July 1.

“Though Wi-Fi, seating, amenities, some concessions etc., parking. That’s kind of where we’ll be looking very quickly to see if we can make an impact,” says Strain.

The CIC voted to refer the Lethbridge Airport Master Plan to City Council for consideration at its May 27 meeting.

by Lara Fominoff