Breaking Ground for an Improved Airport

Breslau, ON — Today Regional Chair Ken Seiling, Kitchener-Conestoga Member of Parliament Harold Albrecht and Kitchener-Conestoga Member of Provincial Parliament Leeanna Pendergast participated in a ground breaking for the Combined Airport / Fleet Maintenance and Firehall Services Facility at the Region of Waterloo International Airport.

 The new facility will meet precision landing regulations, and accommodate on-site emergency vehicles. As ridership at the airport continues to grow, this new facility will ensure that the Region of Waterloo International Airport has the necessary infrastructure to continue safe, predictable operations for years to come.

 "This project is another step in completing the master plan for the Airport," said Ken Seiling, Regional Chair.  "New combined maintenance and fire hall facilities will ensure that we are able to accommodate increasing passenger, charter and cargo service demands well into the future."  

 "The airport is an important part of our local infrastructure," noted MPP Leeanna Pendergast.

"Under the strong leadership of Dalton McGuinty, the Ontario government is creating jobs now to help stimulate our economy."

 "All of the projects funded under Canada's Economic Action Plan were identified as priorities by our local partners," explained MP Harold Albrecht. "We are working in partnership with the province and the Region to foster jobs and growth.  Waterloo Region, like Canada, will emerge stronger from the challenges of 2009."

 The Combined Aiport/Fleet Maintenance and Firehall Services Facility project will cost approximately $10.8 million and has been approved for funding of $4,733,334 under the federal and provincial Infrastructure Stimulus Fund with the balance financed by the Region of Waterloo.

The Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF) is owned and operated by the Region of Waterloo. Year-round daily scheduled service: WestJet, offering daily non-stop flights to Calgary and Vancouver* with connections to other great cities; and Bearskin Airlines, offering daily flights to Ottawa with connections to North-Eastern Ontario.  Seasonal sun vacation charter service is available from December through March with Sunwing Vacations. For more information contact your local travel agent, visit www.waterlooairport.ca or contact Airport Administration at 519-648-2256.      *Vancouver daily non-stop service runs June 28 - October 31, 2010