Province hands over grant to expand and pave runway

Osoyoos is already a busy border crossing and a junction between two highways, but a grant from the provincial government may draw traffic from above.
Penticton-Okanagan Valley MLA Bill Barisoff announced on January 18 that Osoyoos will receive $107,000 in funding to expand and pave the runway at Osoyoos Airport.
Osoyoos is an important community in our riding. The airport expansion, combined with recent and pending Highway 97 improvements, will ensure that the South Okanagan remains a gateway to tourism opportunities, and at the same time keeps pace with unprecedented growth in the region, Barisoff said.
The funds will go towards the second phase of a four-part plan to expand the airport. The second phase will include paving and widening the runway to 16 metres, and extending it to 775 metres.
It's terrific news. We see the airport improving access to health, as well as providing new business opportunities in the community, Destination Osoyoos Executive Director Glenn Mandziuk said.
Mandziuk pointed to recent mudslides and fires as good examples of the importance of access to and from the area.
Look at Golden; the only way in or out is by air right now. And of course with medi-vac, if it saves the life of one child it's paid itself off, he said.
Mandziuk also mentioned the improvements to the airport would reduce maintenance fees for planes using the facilities, as a paved landing strip is much more gentle on an airplane's landing gear than the current gravel strip.
Mandziuk said the long term goal, given the new resorts and other accommodation in the area, is to encourage one or more entrepreneurs to establish a charter service.
If you improve accessibility from the Lower Mainland and from Calgary, that improves local business, Mandziuk said.
He also thanked Barisoff, Senator Ross Fitzpatrick and MP Jim Gouk for all their hard work and support.
Osoyoos is one of nine communities given infrastructure grants by the federal and provincial governments.
Oliver will also receive $106,666 for upgrades to its curling facility. The improvements will allow Oliver residents and those from the surrounding area to use the facility as a multi-purpose building.
The total value of the projects under the Canada-British Columbia Infrastructure Program banner is more than 27.4 million dollars.