Photo courtesy Transport Canada
The Penticton Airport in British Columbia has experienced significant growth in air traffic over the past three years as more people conduct business and make their homes in the region.
Recently, Transport Canada awarded a $6.4-million contract to Ledcor Construction to modernize and enhance key areas of the 50-year-old Penticton Airport Terminal Building to accommodate the increased traffic and improve safety, security, and the overall passenger experience. The building was originally constructed in the early 1960s as a single-story, wood-framed structure, and was partially renovated and expanded in the early 1990s.
The two-year construction work is anticipated to begin this spring. The project will focus on:
- reconfiguring the main concourse;
- creating space for an expanded arrivals hall, baggage claim area, and new food service space; ● building new airline check-in counters, offices, and new rental car kiosks; and
- adding a new set of washrooms.
The existing pre-board screening room, holdroom, and baggage storage areas will also be expanded. This project builds on a holdroom expansion during the spring of 2016 that doubled the seating capacity. The holdroom seating capacity will again be expanded during this project, making it more wheelchair accessible.
“The number of passengers and aircraft using the Penticton Airport in the last two years has grown rapidly. In 2014, we invested $7.53 million to repave the airport runway and taxiway, as well as expand the airport’s passenger holdroom. The additional investment will enhance the airport terminal building, and is important for improving airport safety and security at this busy airport that services communities within the South Okanagan,” says Marc Garneau, the federal transport minister.
