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VOL. 27 NO. 53
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Airport expansion money expected CONSTRUCTION COULD start the middle of the year to expand the Northwest Regional Airport’s main terminal building in a project worth $16.9 million, making it more comfortable for passengers and more efficient for airlines. Speaking last week, airport manager Carman Hendry said he’s expecting to hear by the end of May if its application for money from a federal/provincial program called Build Canada will be accepted. This is a program in which the province would chip in one-third or $4.5 million, the federal government another one-third and the airport the remaining one-third for a total $13.715 million, he said. That covers eligible costs Build Canada will help finance but the airport will have to pay a further figure of just under $3.2 million all by itself for other, ineligible costs, added Hendry to meet the project budget. “Things like permits and licences and furnishings, those are considered non-eligible,” he said. A newly-introduced airport improvement fee of $7 a passenger on outgoing flights will help the airport accumulate the capital it needs. “It’s a fee designated for the terminal project and when it’s done, will be taken off,” said Hendry.
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Provided the news from Build Canada is good, Hendry said requests for bids will go out in quick order. “We expect that to happen within six weeks,” he said. “As soon as that, we’ll be ready to go.” Leading up to that period, the not-forprofit airport society which runs the airport has asked the City of Terrace to either waive or consider as a donation in-kind the $133,000 it would normally charge for the expansion project’s permits and licences. “It’s one of those expenses not eligible under Build Canada,” said Hendry of the request. He hopes to hear an answer from the city by the end of May, the same time as word is expected from Build Canada. Large increases in passenger traffic beginning several years ago have put a strain on airport services. Current planning has the expansion project taking approximately two years. By the time construction is expected to be complete, the terminal building will be 40 per cent larger than it is now with a more spacious holding area for departing passengers, new and larger check in and baggage drop off facilities, more room for security clearing and renovated office and counter space for airlines.
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Major aquatic centre renovation wanted CITY COUNCIL is asking for approximately $4.7 million for an extensive overhaul of its aquatic centre. The money, which would come from federal gas taxes, would be used for new drainage systems, accessibility ramps, a new family change room and also a new fitness room to be located beside where the current men’s change room is. The new family change room is to be located where the old fitness centre is and the check-in desk would be moved with the back towards the pool and the front facing the lobby. The new fitness centre would add 1,200 square feet that would be built out into the parking lot facing north, though not a significant protrusion. If the money comes in, the centre would have to shut down for eight months during renovations. City officials told councillors at the
April 13 meeting that among all potential city projects, aquatic centre improvements would give the city the best value as the federal gas tax grant would cover 100 per cent of the cost. Chief administrative officer Heather Avison also noted that while the city’s ‘to-do’ includes road projects, there’s another program from senior governments which could provide the money for that work. During discussion, Mayor Carol Leclerc commented that the federal gas tax grant possibility comes during a federal election year. “That would be pretty significant to be able to pull something like that off,” she said of the project. The city just last year completed a $410,000 upgrade to the centre that included rebuilding the west wall. That project price rose by adding a $30,000 dehumidification system to keep the wall’s windows clear.
MARGARET SPEIRS PHOTO
■■ Trio of helpers GRACE DAVIDSON, 11, her mom Tracey, the community engagement coordinator for Volunteer Terrace, and Jessica Gaus, chair for Relay for Life, at the Volunteer Appreciation Tea in city hall council chambers April 17. Tracey says Grace has been volunteering since she was four-years-old and would climb out of her stroller to help. Grace says helping people is why she volunteers. In back is city councillor Michael Prevost.
Others first
Dramatic rescue
Super start
Scouts challenge the community to do good deeds \COMMUNITY A10
Residents and rescue team pull three from truck flipped into Skeena \NEWS A13
Shogun dojo medals up at first two tournaments of the year \SPORTS A25