South Cariboo Regional Airport upgrades completed

Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District:

The Cariboo Regional District is celebrating the completion of critical upgrades that have been completed at the South Cariboo Regional Airport. Members of the South Cariboo Airport Commission, including Electoral Area Directors Al Richmond (Area G), Margo Wagner (Area H), Eric de Vries (Area L), District of 100 Mile House Mayor Maureen Pinkney, and Member-at-Large Larry Davis  were on hand to celebrate their completion.

The South Cariboo Regional Airport rehabilitation work included reconstructing the subbase and asphalt surfaces of the runway, taxiway, and airside apron, as well as converting to LED lighting for runway edge lights, apron lights, and navigation aids. This marks the first overhaul of the asphalt surfaces in 20 years, and allows the airport to provide critical connections to the sky for recreational pilots, BC Wildfire, RCMP, and BC Emergency Health Services’ Air Ambulances, which completed over 40 med-evacs each year.

“We are pleased to see the runway resurfacing and lighting upgrades completed. The runway surface had reached the point that Air Ambulance jets were no longer going to able to use the airport for medical evacuations,” said Cariboo Regional District Area "G" Director Al Richmond, also Chair of the South Cariboo Regional Airport Commission, “These aircraft will now be able to continue to offer vital services to the residents through the South Cariboo Regional Airport.”

These upgrades were made possible through extensive provincial and federal grant funding – $1.45 million from the BC Growing Communities Fund, $1 million from the federal Community Works Funding, and $2 million from the BC Air Access Program. The remaining costs were financed through short-term borrowing which will be paid back through taxation over the next five years.

The South Cariboo Regional Airport has been operated by the Regional District since 1981, and serves the BC Wildfire Service, BC Emergency Health Services, RCMP, and private aircraft operators. On average there are 1,000 flights per year served by the airport, increasing to over 2,500 flights during years with significant wildfire activity. The airport is partially funded by residents and property owners in Electoral Areas G, H, and L as well as the District of 100 Mile, along with revenue from airside hangar agreements, landing fees, and fuel sales.