Province tabs $1.6M for Virden airport upgrades
VIRDEN — The province is spending more than $1.6 million to improve safety and expand traffic at Virden Regional Airport.
'This is an important investment that will encourage regional development and job creation in Westman,' Manitoba Municipal and Northern Relations Minister Glen Simard said Monday at a news conference in Virden.
A portion of the $1,650,000 will go toward an improved weather information system for pilots. The improvements will support 24-7 medical transfer flights, said Simard (Brandon East).
Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun
Municipal Affairs Minister Glenn Simard speaks at the $1.65-million expansion announcement at the Virden Regional Airport, Monday.
'It's really important to have this type of infrastructure here and what it means for someone having a medical crisis, so that more Manitobans can get the care they need, when they need it.'
The new automated weather observing system (AWOS) can transmit information such as wind conditions, temperature, air pressure and precipitation, enabling STARS Air Ambulance to make critical weather-based decisions.
'It's a big deal,' said Scott Andrew, a pilot at the training and flight school Air Andrew in Virden. 'For guys that aren't familiar with the area, it's (important). Every airport should have one … The more information you have, the safer it is.'
Andrew said the system will also tell helicopter pilots (vehicles with different safety standards than planes) when to avoid the area due to weather.
The provincial funding will also be used to cover the cost of a runway extension and new lights for the taxiway and runway.
The runway extension will allow pilots to descend up to 250 feet from the ground, from the current 500 feet, when approaching the airport, which means it will be easier to spot the runway, officials said.
STARS was able to land at the Virden airport, but has been more susceptible to being rerouted due to there previously being no AWOS system.
Virden Mayor Tina Williams said there will be more peace of mind with the upgrades — and that will help the town of some 3,100 grow.
Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun
Scott Andrew, President and Accountable Executive at Air Andrew, after the announcement at the Virden Regional Airport on Monday.
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She said the benefits will encourage people who grow up in the area to stay home and will boost the town's profile as a more attractive place to move to, as well as improving the facility for agriculture-related flights.
'As a person who lives here and has never had to be on one of those medical transports, I'm thrilled that if I need it, I know that they'll be there,' she said, adding because Virden is located next to the Trans-Canada Highway, some 280 kilometres west of Winnipeg, it sees its share of emergencies.
The airport was built in 1940 as a training facility during the Second World War. It was nearly shut down in the decades after, but community members rallied for it to stay open.
Simard said the funding announced Monday should allow the facility to at least double its lifespan. 'We hope this updated and expanded airport will serve the people of Virden and the surrounding community for another 80 years to come.'
— Brandon Sun
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