Released on November 3, 2014
The provincial government has officially proclaimed this week as Aviation and Aerospace Week, providing an opportunity to celebrate the aviation sector’s many contributions to Saskatchewan and the 25th anniversary of the Saskatchewan Aviation Council (SAC).
“Aviation and aerial applicators play a key role in some of our most important industries like agriculture, mining and energy,” Highways and Infrastructure Minister Nancy Heppner said. “Aviation also helps improve the quality of life in Saskatchewan as an important partner in public services like health care and providing access to rural and northern communities.”
“For a quarter century, SAC has been the voice of our industry’s men and women and the contributions they make to Saskatchewan on a daily basis,” SAC Council President Janet Keim said. “Saskatchewan’s aviation and aerospace industry has a major impact, accounting for 2.1 per cent of provincial GDP and 15,000 jobs.”
The provincial government is showing its support for the aviation sector by participating in a unique partnership to improve services at the Wollaston Lake Airport.
Through the Aviation Advisory Committee, the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure is partnering with West Wind Aviation to bring water and sewer service to the Wollaston Lake Airport. The ministry is investing about $54,000 in the project with West Wind providing $15,000 in cash and in-kind contributions.
“Wollaston Lake is a busy airport and, until now, our passengers and staff had to bring in water and did not have access to modern toilets,” West Wind’s Vice President of Business Development and Customer Relations Dennis Baranieski said. “With this partnership, all users of the airport have the opportunity to improve the services we provide to our customers.”
The Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure owns, operates and maintains 17 airports in northern Saskatchewan. The ministry also administers the Community Airports Partnership (CAP). Under CAP, a total of $700,000 in matching grants is made available each year for improvements at municipal and community-owned airports that are not eligible for federal funding.
Community airports have received $4.5 million in provincial funding since the program began in 2007.
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For more information, contact:
Doug Wakabayashi
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4804
Email: doug.wakabayashi@gov.sk.ca