Proponents of the Pemberton Regional Airport are hoping to initiate vital repairs with help from the British Columbia Air Access for Airport Infrastructure program. The Village of Pemberton (VOP) vowed to support a funding application for up to $200,000 at a council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 5. Mayor and council also agreed to contribute a matching contribution of up to $50,000 (25 per cent) towards the project.
Project engineer, Sachindra Wijayabandara, told council repairs on the runway are needed sooner rather than later. Runway resurfacing is a top priority, as the tarmac is currently “riddled” with large cracks—some measuring up to 10 centimetres wide. They also risk getting far bigger if moisture permeates the asphalt.
The cracks create an uneven surface and disrupt visual painted markings, and are causing a serious safety hazard to aircraft using the facility. Wijayabandara told council they run the risk of the problem becoming far worse. “It’s needed now,” he said.
Cracks on the runway were last repaired in 2016. The village’s contribution to the project will now be incorporated into 2024 budget deliberations. The airport has several hundred landings per year, with most happening in August. They include fire and rescue vehicles, commercial activity companies, gliders, local aircraft and helicopter companies.
However, there is no runway lighting, taxiway lighting, control tower, or navigational assistance at the site. Access is also limited during the winter months. The runway and taxiway are only cleared when the VOP has resources available and when there is a period of extended good weather. Arrangements can be made to have the runway cleared at cost between November and April.
