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$1.5M for airport renos

By: Staff Writer

Thursday, Apr. 12, 2012 at 9:15 AM | Comments: 2

MATT GOERZEN/BRANDON SUN Enlarge Image

Mayor Shari Decter Hirst unveils conceptual plans for an approximate $1.5 million revision of the airport terminal building during a press conference at the Brandon Municipal Airport terminal.

The city has unveiled plan for a seven-figure facelift at the Brandon airport.

Enlarge Image

Proposed renovations at the Brandon airport terminal are seen in this conceptual drawing provided by the city. (HANDOUT)

Enlarge Image

Proposed renovations at the Brandon airport terminal are seen in this conceptual drawing provided by the city. (HANDOUT)

The renovations would be necessary if the city hopes to lure a regional air service like WestJet, according to a press release issued this morning.

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"Just imagine, arriving at the Brandon Muncipal Airport and walking into a bright, inviting terminal, humming with travellers and airline staff," said Brandon mayor Shair Decter Hirst. "The city of Brandon will work as hard as it can to make that vision a reality, as long as we are able to convince WestJet or a similar airline company that it belongs in Brandon."

The proposed renovations include a baggage carousel and revised arrivals hall, a secure passenger hold area with washrooms and security queue areas and new, updated ticketing counters, as well as a update of surfaces, furniture, lighting and mechanical systems.

Possible retail spaces, like a car rental counter, could also be part of the upgrade.

Original construction of the 5,800-square foot building dates back about 40 years, with only limited enhancements done since then.

Tim Sanderson, the city's transportation director, says that rehabilitation of the terminal is a must.

"As a result of changing air travel standards, the current layout of the terminal could not accommodate mid-to-large passenger movements," Sanderson said. "If we want out city to grow to the level of being able to support regional air service, our airport terminal needs to grow as well."

Because the shell of the building wouldn't need to be substantially touched, the work could be done quickly, Sanderson said.

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Posted by:johnsaito

April 12, 2012 at 11:06 AM

Is this being done to entice a company to come here, pretty expensive gamble if the airport will sit under used. Once again here they are playing big shot with taxpayers money!

Posted by:henhouserooster

April 14, 2012 at 1:14 AM

Get all the signatures you want and blow $1.5 for upgrades while hoping for the best.....Westjet or whoever MIGHT serve Brandon.....all they give a hoot about is $$$ in their pockets. A brand new couch doesn't mean anyone is going to sit on it. Once the novelty wears off, the hassle of airport yada yada yada and ticket costs and this cost and that tax and this tax and well, air travel is fast once you FINALLY get in the air. That 45 minute flight to Saskatoon....by the time it's all said and done....4 hours. I do the drive in 6 hours and save hundreds. I'm using this as an example on a short trip.....sure , longer trips ....say to Cowtown or Edmonton....jump on the plane and enjoy. My opinion, however, is that if an air carrier does service Brandon, it will peter away in two years tops. Also, in my opinion, that signature drive is nothing but a bunch of yelling and yelping just because there was something everyone and their dog could sign-on to. I would really like to see where everyone and their dogs are IF and WHEN a plane lands here. I guarantee there will be plenty of "standby" seats to fill for cheap.

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