$15-million Nanaimo Airport expansion underway

NANAIMO, B.C. — Government and airport officials were on hand recently to turn the first shovel of dirt on a $15-million expansion project at the Nanaimo Airport, officially kicking off construction.

The project is a partnership between the Nanaimo Airport Commission and the federal and provincial governments.

According to a release, each government contributed $2.48 million to the project, which will enlarge the size of the terminal building by adding 14,000 square feet to the space, the equivalent of a 60 per cent increase.

“More space in the security area will allow travellers and their baggage to move faster through the screening,” the release reads.

There will also be a larger departure lounge with approximately 320 seats, more than double the current number.

The project manager for the expansion is Durwest Construction Management, an island-based firm, and the project team includes Nanaimo-based Checkwitch Poiron Architects, the release notes.

The tender process for the project has finished and pre-construction works is already underway. The expected completion date is 2020.

To help prepare for the expansion, work was completed last year on the runway apron and lighting work was also carried out.

“This project creates more opportunities for travellers, business owners and investors,” said Nanaimo Airport CEO and president Mike Hooper in a statement.

“It will help us as we continue to pursue more air service for central Vancouver Island. It provides more space, and potentially more customers, for new businesses to partner with us, and it will spur land and business development at the airport that attracts investors from around the world.”

In 2016, the Nanaimo Airport Commission Board of Directors approved a 20-year master development plan for the terminal building. According to the release, this project fulfils three main priorities of that plan: regional economic development, economic stimulus through construction and meeting demand for air service through the next decade.

The Nanaimo Airport has set records for passenger volume for eight consecutive years, the release states. More than 390,000 people are expected to pass through its gates in 2018.