The District of 100 Mile House has approved and endorsed its new Airport Master Plan for the 100 Mile House Airport.
The report was prepared by HM Aero an aviation contractor that specializes in evaluating Canadian airports of all scales. Since its founding in 2018 HM Aero has delivered planning, engineering and advisory service projects at over 60 airports in 10 provinces and territories. Its latest Airport Master Plan was presented to council during the regular Tuesday, Feb. 11 council meeting.
"The Airport Master Plan provides a comprehensive plan to support the district in its oversight of the airport by looking at the airport infrastructure, operations and business management," Mayor Maureen Pinkney said. "It has been a positive project, garnered very good interest from the public and the flying community."
Provided within the master plan was a list of several different safety improvements and upgrades that HM Aero recommended that the district undertake, as well as a rough timeline for each upgrade. This includes around $20,000 in planned safety improvements, along with an estimated $77,000 in improving perimeter fencing and access controls by the end of 2025 for Area 1.
A weather camera installation, costing around $10,000, is planned for 2026, while a tie-down area parking pad with an estimated cost of $17,000 is planned for 2027. In 2028, there are plans to begin an airfield pavement rehabilitation for the airport starting with an engineering design expected to cost around $120,000. The actual project itself will cost an estimated $1,077,000 and is scheduled for 2029.
In 2031, Area 2 will receive perimeter fencing and access controls, which are set to cost $184,000. Projects that are deemed as discretionary or demand-driven include the exploration of clubhouse use and access agreement, a flying club lease agreement fuel system revisions, an air ambulance rotary-wing parking position paving (estimated to cost $185,000), an airside development area taxiway extension (estimated to cost $495,000) and an airside development area access road extension (estimated to cost $544,000).
"The recommendations offered in the 100 Mile House Airport Master Plan should help guide the District's plan for maintenance and improvements in the short and medium term," HM Aero wrote in the master plan. "The ability of the district to implement the Capital Improvement Plan will be limited by its internal financial resources, creating a reliance on external sources of funding and the pursuit of grants where possible."
The plan cites the British Columbia Air Access Program, the Northern Development Initiative Trust Economic Infrastructure Program, as well as external contributions from companies such as Enbridge as possible sources of funding. The master plan also recommended that the plan should be reviewed annually as part of the yearly budget and action planning process to assess the Airport's changing position.
"The capital improvements would improve the airport generally and improve the safety and security of airport tenants and operations," Pinkney said. "Some of the recommended business development recommendations could help improve the financial viability of the airport and area businesses, ie: attracting additional visitors."
In a Feb. 7 report to Council prepared by Joanne Doddridge, the Director of Economic Planning and Development with the district, it had been recommended that council endorse the Capital Improvement Plan and Business Development recommendations in the 100 Mile House Airport Master Plan, as well as approve the Master Plan.
During the council meeting, discussions were held between the councillors and HM Aero's senior planner and representative, Ben Crooks. One topic that came up was about potentially building suites at the 100 Mile Airport. According to Coun. Donna Barnett, there had been great interest in people who wanted to build a suite above with the hanger being below.
"It was something we heard raised as an idea for the airport to kind of create a competitive advantage," said Crooks in reply to Barnett's question. "It's an option that I think could be explored further by the district."
Crooks noted that many airports restrict the use of suites but that such a policy could be used to differentiate the 100 Mile House Airport.
Pinkney said that if suites are to be installed, processes would need to be followed including adding a residential use to the airport.
Hangar owners and members of the 100 Mile Flying Club expressed appreciation to the district for the continued support of the airport.
To enact the plan, the district plans on applying to the BC Air Access Program at the next available intake.
