Photo: Aviation View, La Ronge Airport

They allow the mining sector to travel up north. They give the STARS Air Ambulance a place to land in an emergency. Community airports play a crucial role in keeping Saskatchewan residents safe, and its economy strong. 

That’s from Highways Minister David Marit, who says several Saskatchewan communities have been granted funding to upgrade their airports through the province’s 50/50 cost-shared Community Airport Partnership program. 

This year, the recipients of up to $275,000 each are Assiniboia, Esterhazy, La Ronge, Moose Jaw, Nipawin, Tisdale, Yorkton, and the RM of Eye Hill. 

For example, La Ronge will be using the funding to maintenance the airport’s drainage system, a $550,000 project. 

Marit adds that the program is always oversubscribed, and the selection committee has a big job on their hands when choosing which communities are awarded the funding. 

“They go through all the applications. The committee is made up of the Saskatchewan Aviation Council, SUMA, SARM. Even Regina and Saskatoon airports have representation on there even though they don’t qualify for this program.” 

The province’s total investment is $935,910.