(L-R) Ken Schulzke, Chair for the Red Deer Regional Airport Authority, and Graham Ingham, CEO, at the open house of phase two of the airport's expansion project on Wednesday. (rdnewsNOW/Alessia Proietti)

By Alessia Proietti

Open House

Red Deer Regional Airport moves to Phase 2 in expansion project: passenger service terminal

Sep 28, 2023 | 4:38 PM

The Red Deer Regional Airport is officially moving to phase two of their expansion project with the construction of a passenger service terminal.

On Wednesday, an informal open house was held at the airport’s current terminal (3800 Airport Dr.) where the public was welcome to learn about the project.

“It’s fantastic. We waited a long time for this; a lot of planning has gone into this,” said Graham Ingham, Red Deer Regional Airport Chief Executive Officer. “We’re very excited and looking forward to some great things.”

Ken Schulzke, Chair for the Red Deer Regional Airport Authority, says the second phase is even more exciting than the first because it is a more public facing.

With the current terminal around 5,000 square feet, he says the plan is to add about 10,000 more to it, to accommodate around 200 passengers. With the hope of attracting ultra low-cost air carriers and modern 737 planes, he says “the sky is the limit” for travel in and out of central Alberta.

Nov. 28

Workshop coming to Red Deer for cow-calf producers on data literacy

21h ago

gun fired

Ponoka RCMP arrest two people in rural area, warn residents of taking matters into their own hands

22h ago

Firearm possession

Red Deer RCMP arrest Stettler man for possession of multiple weapons

23h ago

The simple and low-cost design, he says, is meant to provide an accessible and affordable airport, with the inclusion of security stations, a departure gate, unisex washrooms, and an arrival area for a potential future customs area.

Poster photo of design of Red Deer Regional Airport’s expanded passenger service terminal. (rdnewsNOW/Alessia Proietti)

Terminal Floor Plan of Red Deer regional Airport’s expanded passenger service terminal. (rdnewsNOW/Alessia Proietti)

He says shovels for the $3.5 million phase are expected in the next few days with Timcon Construction, with an anticipated deadline of one year.

The airport’s first phase in the expansion project focused on infrastructure, widening the runway from 30 to 45 metres to allow for larger planes, like passenger service, to land at the airport. The main apron and taxiway were also strengthened, among other additions. Beginning in 2022, the phase was completed this July, with its $15 million price-tag fully funded by the Government of Alberta, City of Red Deer and Red Deer County.

The final phase, funded with $30 million from the provincial government, will be to expand Airport Drive, providing direct access to the airport from Highway 2A and Township Road 374. Schulzke says this will “unlock the potential” of the airport, benefitting the region by adding 200 acres of developable airside land for commercial and industrial use.

READ MORE:

First phase of Red Deer Regional Airport expansion almost complete; welcoming chartered planes

$30 million for Red Deer Regional Airport means increased access and safety

He believes the airport will open central Alberta to the world.

“To invest about $50 million over the next couple of years in the airport is transformative,” he said. “We’re building a bridge for central Alberta to the rest of the world so we can fulfill our mission. Our mission is to be a key economic driver and aviation gateway for central Alberta and without this injection of grant money, we would be hard pressed to do it, but this has put us on the fast-track to make this happen.”

Current Red Deer Regional Airport terminal. (rdnewsNOW/Alessia Proietti)