Ontario Construction News staff writer
Timmins City council has approved a bylaw that will allow renovation to proceed on the Timmins Victor M. Power Airport that connects the Ontario city to other communities in the north, the rest of Canada and the world.
Council at its May 27 meeting approved a bylaw awarding a $188,458 contract to Canadian firm J.L. Richards and Associates to design the airport’s façade and departure lounge addition.
“Through the airport master plan, it was highlighted that the Timmins airport needed some renovations to accommodate expansion and do some improvements just to address the future needs,” Scott Tam, director of growth and infrastructure, told council.
The design is to expand the lounge to accommodate an expected increase in passengers, improve the security area, and provide aesthetic and structural upgrades outside.
The renovation of the airport is scheduled to commence in 2026.
A 2022-2042 Airport Master Plan presented to council says air passenger traffic is projected to increase 1.1 per cent per year over the life of the plan requiring upgrades to infrastructure and facilities, including regulatory requirements based on passenger numbers.
“The airport’s operations contribute an estimated $90 million and $200 million, respectively, in gross domestic product and total economic output to Ontario’s economy,” airport manager Dave Dayment said . “That only happens when the runways are open, and planes are traveling in and out. You will see that number increase as the airport expands, and passenger traffic grows. The Airport Master Plan makes a case for investment, from all levels of government, to support population, industry, and economic growth.”
A capital investment of $120 million over the next 20 years for airside and land use improvements is recommended.
In the short-term, improvements to parking, equipment optimization, and façade upgrades could be balanced with initial planning for proposed commercial development. Medium-term costs could be directed towards expansion of the terminal building, car park, and airside elements. Long-term recommendations include runway extensions, lighting improvements, and final development of commercial lands south of the airport, the plan says.