The Kapuskasing Airport will be getting a facelift.
After applying for funding with the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation and FedNor for its Airport Capacity Project, the town of Kapuskasing will be receiving a total of $4.5 million.
The Kapuskasing airport was transferred from the federal government to the municipality in 1996.
About $2.3 million will go towards improvements to water capacity and fuelling equipment, with the remaining $2.2 million going to the reconstruction and improvement of the apron area.
“The airport is serviced three times daily by Bearskin Airlines,” said Al Spacek, mayor of Kapuskasing. “We also have a charter company based here as well, so we feel that it brings a benefit to us in terms of access.”
Due to the departure of the fuel supplier, the municipality grabbed responsibility of all aircraft fuelling services. Without it, the airport would not be able to remain operational.
The funding submission includes the purchase and installation of fuelling storage tanks, cabinets with a filtration system and a refueller tanker.
Reconstruction will also include upgrading its water and sewer facilities as well, to facilitate more development.
The improvements to the water capacity were needed to increase potable water availability, as treated water was very limited due to the main clear well not being chlorinated.
Lift pumps will be installed, as well as upgrades to the reservoir supply and the watermain.
“Having regular commercial air service is very important for attracting new business, and as part of that we need to maintain our airport facility,” said Spacek.
As well, the new Ontario Provincial Police James Bay detachment is expected to be completed by spring 2012.
It is one of 18 to be completed this year, but unlike the rest, it will have a specific look and is being built to better represent the other historic buildings in the area, such as the Civic Centre.
“That is because of a request we had as a community to reflect the architecture of the building that was previously on that site, which was a sister building to the Civic Centre,” he said. “We didn't want a brown box so to speak.”
The 13,200-square-foot facility will have a peaked roof as opposed of a flat one, and inside, it will have evidence vaults, a boardroom, a fingerprint room and several holding cells.
Update: Tony Clement, Minister for FedNor, announced on Nov. 14, an investment of $867,000 to attract private sector investment to the Kapuskasing area by enhancing the economic infrastructure needed for business development and growth at the Kapusaksing airport.
