Funding from the province will allow for upgrades at the Sault Ste. Marie airport.
The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corp. announced it was providing the Sault Ste. Marie Airport Development Corp. (SSMADC) with $450,000 under its Infrastructure and Community Development Program for the third phase of its terminal expansion.
The passenger holding room and the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) arrivals area will be expanded, in addition to the removal and replacement of the baggage belt in order to meet extra passenger traffic.
"The SSMADC is very pleased to receive NOHFC funding to assist with the third phase of the terminal expansion which we anticipate will be completed by the end of March 2014," said Terry Bos, the corporation’s CEO, in a news release.
"This matching funding will facilitate the expansion of the arrival area for improved service and clearance of travellers entering into Canada from international flights. It will also result in the addition of a new baggage-handling conveyor facility which will improve customer service and processing of passenger baggage generated from all of our scheduled flights and charter carriers."
Sault MPP David Orazietti said the upgrades would also serve to accommodate additional domestic and international traffic at the airport, which has grown from 120,000 passengers annually in 2010 to more than 185,000 in 2012.
The SSMADC has operated the Sault Ste. Marie Airport since 2008 and is responsible for raising revenues from fees, concessions and leases to meet its operating expenses, provide for facilities renewal and pay taxes.
