Jon From, President of the Lacombe Flying Club speaks at the facility's grand reopening alongside longtime club member Maryanne Jablonski and the new sign. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

flight path

Lacombe Regional Airport reopens with eyes on the long-term

Jun 1, 2019 | 4:42 PM

The Lacombe Airport is no more… well, sort of.

At the north end of the city, you can now say hello to the Lacombe Regional Airport after its grand reopening on Saturday.

With significant financial help from Lacombe County, it was only fitting that the facility, which is operated by the Lacombe Flying Club, would get an extended moniker.

Jon From, President of the flying club, says it’s about more than just a new name.

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“We’ve got a new taxiway, developed last fall, which will allow for new hangar construction this spring,” he says. “That’ll give us a chance at sustained growth at the airport and ensure that we’re going to be here another 50 years.”

Recent upgrades also include new lighting on the runway.

“The old lighting system was about 50-years-old and was well past its prime. Parts were no longer available,” From says.

“We got the grant from the province last summer, as well as financial contributions from the City, County and Flying Club to put in a new LED lighting system. It’s state of the art and makes flying at night much safer.”

As for the airport’s future and where its limit is, From says there isn’t one, not even the sky.

“We have signed a new 25-year lease with a 25-year renewal a year and a half ago,” he notes.
“The airport should be here for at least another 48 years, and during that time, we’ve got lots of room to grow and we’re hoping to grow the airport with the community.”

One future upgrade will include the paving of the runway, which has its original asphalt, or what’s left of it.

From estimates the airport sees between 10,000 and 12,000 with training flights and recreational/business flights. It is also utilized by STARS Air Ambulance and the RCMP.

The Lacombe Regional Airport was founded in 1962.