City looking to secure grant for airport upgrades

Merritt’s Airport Advisory Committee met on Thursday at City Hall to discuss the ongoing work to improve the aging air strip.

One of the key projects currently on the table is proper fencing and lighting at the site.

“As this committee is aware, a recommendation has been put forward to develop a airport fencing and lighting plan so this can be part of the 2022 capital budget and seek grant funding,” said CAO Sean Smith.

The City is hoping to apply to the BC Air Access Grant to complete the work, but Smith mentioned the project will not be dependent on grant funding, if approved by council.

“We will not make this a grant dependent project. That means if we are unsuccessful in getting the grant then we would still proceed to do the airport fencing and lighting in 2022,” added Smith.

The fencing and lighting would be the first major project undertaken at the airport following a crack sealing project that was completed earlier this year.

The committee is also currently working on a plan for a new paved taxi-way as well as developing a strategy for leasing properties on the North side of the strip.