An industrial business district is the latest project on the go at the Saskatoon Airport Authority.

The Wednesday announcement marks the beginning of Phase Two of its land development plan. Phase one, announced in early February, includes a new Tim Horton’s development at the corner of Airport Drive and 45th Street, as well as a potential gas station.

SAA President Stephen Maybury says in partnership with Colliers, they will be leasing between 40 and 60 acres of land just north of Claypool Drive. The land lease extends to 2079, and the Airport Authority envisions businesses involved in agriculture, aviation, technology, and mining will want to be part of the development. 

 “What a lot of airports and businesses have done is learn from the pandemic event and attempt to diversify revenue away from that element (aviation) to give us greater certainty and stability moving forward,” Maybury explains.

Colliers Vice President Keith Webb says the district is strategically placed in favour of agriculture, aviation, technology, and mining businesses seeking large format space. 

 “We’ve got such a low vacancy rate in industrial at this time, that there’s going to be someone who will want to step up and do this and bring it to market.” 

This will be the largest potential corporate development of land in the history of the corporation. 

Also on the to-do list in 2026, a $12 million arrival hall revamp is slated to begin in June. This will include replacement of the two main escalators, pavement upgrades, and a Saskatchewan- centered design. The SAA will also be modernizing the fire hall to improve safety for patrons and comfortability for fire fighters.

“We want to provide better technology. We want better quarters and living spaces, because these individuals have committed themselves 24/7 to the operation, so we just want to improve that side of the business.”