Runway Extension Not Backed By Staff

Posted on 3/11/2016 by Pete McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM

Vernon city staff are recommending council not proceed with a runway extension at the regional airport. The issue comes up for a decision on Monday at City hall. Some on council feel extending the runway to four-thousand feet will spark economic activity, allowing more planes to land and more business opportunities. Others on council are not sure taxpayers want to foot the bill for that, while some nearby residents have stated opposition to more activity at the facility. The extension would cost anywhere from 4.2 million dollars...to 5.2 million. In Monday's agenda, City long range planner Roy Nuriel recommends council endorse a development alternative which does not include an extension of the runway. Council has several other development options, ranging in price from just under $1 million, to over $11 million for a runway extension and expansion.