Red Deer Regional Airport was the busiest regional airport in Canada for 2013, according to a recently released federal government report.
“We are very pleased with the result,” said RJ Steenstra, the chief executive officer for the Red Deer Regional Airport Authority (RDRAA). “Our airport is very vibrant and active that continues to grow and that is good news for the citizens of Central Alberta”
The airport is poised to continue its journey as a major transportation asset and economic generator for Central Alberta, emphasizing the need for its current 20-year airport master plan.
According to Statistics Canada's 2013 Annual Movement Report, Red Deer's airport logged 49,100 aircraft movements for smaller facilities compared to 41,326 for Sudbury, who placed second in the survey. Last year, the local airport placed second with more movements than this year's total.
Meanwhile, Steenstra, along with planning partners from MMM Group Ltd. and Inter VISTAS Consulting Inc., recently presented the 20-year master plan to an enthusiastic crowd of about 70 citizens at the Red Deer Sheraton Hotel.
“Our master plan is a long-term, 20-year look ahead, based on the airport's projected use and needs,” said Steenstra. “During plan development, tenants, adjacent landowners, businesses, community and members of the public were consulted to generate a strong consensus.”
He noted the plan includes a site inventory review, an air traffic forecast, alternate growth opportunities, physical layout options, and a preliminary environmental impact analysis.
“Our short-term, five-year development includes the lengthening of the main runway by about 600 metres and widening it so we can land and allow takeoff of a 737 aircraft, which is central to service providers like Air Canada for expansion of Red Deer-based offerings,” said Steenstra. “We have to expand the passenger terminal, and develop the southeast lots of the airport property, build a snow removal equipment shelter, expand the parking lot, and develop a landside access.”
Further out, added the CEO, the authority wants to expand its airside offerings for taxiways, service providers, and landside accesses, with the ultimate development including a new terminal 20-plus years from now, along with additional runways.
“As the airport becomes more successful, the surrounding communities become more successful,” said Steenstra, adding the economic impact was $99 million for 2013. “Once we capture a higher percentage of flights, which usually depart from Calgary or Edmonton, we will be able to bring in the 737 flights and offer direct access to Vancouver or Toronto, which people have suggested they would like.”
Penhold mayor Dennis Cooper, who was contacted after the presentation, agreed with the assessment.
“As the airport continues to grow, employees will be attracted to the area and as Penhold becomes more able to supply their needs we will find ourselves growing as they do,” said Cooper. “Simply put, the greater the number of flights that go out of the facility, the greater the opportunity for Penhold to grow and be part of their success.”
Steenstra added the deadline for the final report for the authority is August of 2014, with presentations to stakeholders tentatively slated in September and beyond. A final cost for the master plan will be arrived upon after completion and acceptance of the report.
Doug Bos, president of the Innisfail and District Chamber of Commerce, was in attendance at the open house and said the proposed airport expansion is a key component for the economic growth of Central Alberta.
“In the early part of last century, the coming of the railway contributed greatly to the growth of settlements such as Innisfail across Alberta. This is no different,” said Bos. “As the airport grows, and more carriers fly out of it, it will bring more prosperity to the area. It's a win-win.”
