Trail’s YZZ to get a new terminal building in $2.5 million project

The new terminal building is an investment for the City’s future

The Trail Airport has started construction on a new terminal building. — Image courtesy of City of Trail

The Trail Airport (YZZ) is a busy place these days with the start of construction on a new terminal building with substantial completion slated December 2017. Tenders for the project closed at the end of March 2017. The estimated construction budget is $2.5 million with $1.18 million in funding coming from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure’s B.C. Air Access Program.

It was announced recently that West Kootenay-based Hil-Tech Contracting has been awarded the contract to construct the new terminal building.

“This project is a milestone for the City and we’re excited to get started,” said Councillor Kevin Jolly, Chair of the Trail Airport Committee. “It has been a long time in the making and I want to thank our team for their dedication and commitment to finding a viable and functional solution that fits within our budget. We look forward to the award of the contract in the near term and moving forward with construction in the spring.”

The new terminal building is an investment for the City’s future and aligns with Council’s goal of creating strong long-term opportunities.  “Trail’s airport is key in economic development in support of growth and sustainability of the region,” said City of Trail Mayor Mike Martin. “The construction of this new building is part of sustaining valued reliable, affordable, and convenient air access for residents, business, tourists and medical travel.  We are very grateful to have the support of the province through their funding contribution to help bring this project to completion.”

Improved parking, designated arrival and departure zones and ample passenger space in the new terminal are just some of the features to look forward to in the new structure.  “The design and infrastructure in the tender have been carefully planned to allow for successful improvements to operations and sustainable growth of the airport lands for years to come,” said Project Manager, Sam Collins of WSP/MMM Group Limited. “We’re pleased to have worked with local design teams from the Kootenays (Stanley Office of Architecture of Nelson and True Engineering of Trail) who have provided an outstanding level of service to the City.”

The existing terminal building at Trail’s airport, owned by the Trail Flying Club, has served the operations well for the last eleven years.  “Many people have enjoyed the unique character of the Flying Club’s building over the years,” concluded Martin. “We’d like to extend a thank you to the club for accommodating the airport’s needs.”

The new terminal construction is happening at the same time as a major upgrade to the airport’s runway project.