Monday, February 22, 2016

Airport Decision Delayed

Posted on 2/22/2016 by Pete McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM
Possible improvements to the Vernon airport remain stuck on the tarmac. City council has deferred a decision on a possible runway extension, until city staff can take another look at the price tag. Councillor Catherine Lord feels the current 5.2 million dollar cost can be pared down. "The original estimate was 2.4 million.The second estimate came in at 5.2 million, so it probably might land somewhere in between, but I have no idea where it's going to land." Lord isn't sure how council will vote on the extension, but she says if it isn't done now, it will never get done due to changing regulations. "It's one of those things that we only get a shot at one time," says Lord. Mayor Akbal Mund says the current estimate for an extension is too pricey. "When you get a five million dollar price tag, you've got to look at that and go 'Is that going to be best for our community?' Probably not, so let's look at the real numbers and find out what they are. Then we can make a decision that will be based on logic," says Mund. At their February 8th meeting, staff presented council with several options ranging from about $1million in improvements to buildings at the low end, and up to an 11 million dollar project which would include the runway extension and an expansion.

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