A Manitoulin Island airport runway is getting a long overdue $3.37-million upgrade.
Kenora MP Greg Rickford announced Aug. 3 that the Gore Bay-Manitoulin Airport is getting more than $1.6 million in federal stimulus funding to rehabilitate the runway, matching a contribution by the local airport commission.
The release improvement project is said to increase the runway's life for 40 years.
The airport has been serving the island for more than 60 years.
In a separate news release, Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes said she is pleased her efforts to secure federal funding has paid off.
“The last time I approached the (Transport and Infrastructure) Minister (John Baird) I told him if he can find money for a fake lake, surely he can find money for a real airport strip.”
After being twice-denied for stimulus funding, Hughes said much credit needs to go the Township of Burpee-Mills, adjoining municipalities, the airport board and manager Robbie Colwell for their persistence.
Hughes notes the runway, apron and taxi-ways needed repair when the township acquired the airport from the federal government in 1996.
“The news is especially welcome for those who rely on the services of the airport for business, tourism and emergency medical service,” said township reeve Ken Noland in a statement.“This piece is an integral part of the surrounding communities.”
Hughes said Manitoulin Transport was “so emphatic” in its support of the job, they offered to contribute to the resurfacing efforts.
Myles McLeod, president of the Gore Bay-Manitoulin Airport Commission, said the viability of the airstrip is not just important to the local economy, but for the safety of all as the airport is identified as an emergency landing strip.
“Our ability to obtain these funds means that the future of the airport is secure.”
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