The new flight service station at the Grande Prairie Airport will be built southeast of the current tower. Nav Canada announced earlier this month it will be replacing the current one, which was built in 1970. Spokesperson Ron Singer says construction should start in late spring 2017.
“The current one is, frankly, at the end of its life cycle and it would need major repairs, so rather than that we’re building a new one in a slightly different location. It will be higher and it will give our flight specialists a better view of the runways and the maneuvering areas.”
The multi-million dollar facility has yet to go to tender, but it’s expected to be finished in 2018. The entire cost will be covered by Nav Canada, which is spending $170 million this year in capital projects across the country.
“It’s just part of Nav Canada’s investing in the infrastructure and keeping the navigation system across the country modern and up-to-date and safe and efficient.”
The new tower will have a seated height of 20 metres for the flight specialists. They’re responsible for providing information and services to aircraft pilots before, during, and after flights.