Extension doesn't fly

Photo: Contributed - City of Vernon

A proposal to extend the runway at Vernon Regional Airport has been permanently grounded.

In a 5-2 decision Monday, council voted in favour of a staff recommendation not to extend the runway, which had a price tag of at least $4.3 million. The recommendation does allow for capacity improvements and upgrades within the existing airport lands without expansion or runway extension. The estimated cost for improvements is approximately $2 million. 

Councillors Catherine Lord and Scott Anderson voted against the recommendation.

During a debate, Lord urged council to seek federal and provincial grant funding for an extension project. She predicted the extension would mean a $10 million annual boost to the local economy and 17 new jobs.

“To me, I'd like to see us apply for funding and then if we don't get it, I'll support another option,” said Lord.

“This is a window of opportunity which we will never have again,” added Anderson. “We should try (to get funds) before we make a definitive decision.”

While admitting she was struggling with the issue, Coun. Juliette Cunningham expressed some concern that an extension would impact the city's waterfront plan and have implications for general use around the area.

“There is not a strong case as to how many (corporate) jets would be attracted to the airport,” said Cunningham. “It would be easier to make the case if we had significant funding through grants (but) I'm not as confident.”

The extension issue had been before council three times, with staff forced to go back and rework figures to make the cost more palatable. In the end, it was not to be.

“I could not see why we would need an extension at the cost,” said Coun. Bob Speirs. “The cost was a big thing to me with the idea that the taxpayers would have to pay for something that does not benefit any one of them.”

“I'm really disappointed,” said Lord, following the meeting. “I really think we've lost an opportunity and it's not going to come again. That's it.”

Mayor Akbal Mund said he was concerned with the tight timeline in seeking funding and undertaking riparian work near wetlands when the runway had to be completed by November, 2017 to conform to current Transport Canada rules.