Less borrowing for the tax payer to resurface Baker Airport Runway in Burns Lake

Paving work will start at the Baker Airport in Burns Lake next week with all of the funding in place

A recent grant cut borrowing for the project down to a little over 166 thousand dollars – down from a borrowing of 675 thousand dollars allowed by the public through a referendum. The total cost sits at 1.6 million dollars.

Chair of the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako Bill Miller says the much needed project was going ahead anyway, but this last leg of funding really cuts costs.

“July 27th, everything’s in place. That was the thing with doing the referendum. We would have everything in place irrespective, but the tax payer would have had to really bite the bullet,” says Miller. “It’s re-doing the base too so it has longevity to it, that was a major win for us.”

Smithers based LB Paving is planning on completing the project by September 30th.

“The runway resurfacing will help ensure the airport remains operational for medi-vac and emergency services and accessible for our residents and businesses,” say Miller.

As a partnership with the region and the Village of Burns Lake, Mayor Luke Strimbold agrees the much need improvements increase safety in the area.

The Baker Airport is a vital asset to our community. Our residents rely on it for medical evac services as well as forest fire protection and emergency services. Resurfacing the runway will ensure the continued safety of the Lakes District and we are very grateful to the funding organizations for their support,” says Strimbold.

Funding agencies for the project:

Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure: BC Air Access Program
Federal Gas Tax Funds, RDBN Electoral Areas ‘B’ and ‘E’ Allocations
Northern Development Initiative Trust
Nechako-Kitamaat Development Fund Society
Burns Lake COMFOR
Trans Canada
Lakes District Airport Society