New runway completed at Moosomin Airport
September 23, 2024, 8:22 am
Kara Kinna, chief editor
People from across the region came together to celebrate the completion of a brand-new runway located at the Moosomin Airport.
With the project complete, the runway now allows the regional airport to land fixed-wing air ambulances and corporate jets.
The provincial government invested more than $2.4 million toward the estimated $10.6 million Moosomin Airport expansion project, which includes a 5,000 foot by 75 foot paved runway, along with a new taxiway and apron completed this summer.
New navigation and weather systems will be completed soon.
“Aviation is an essential part of Saskatchewan’s transportation network,” Highways Minister Lori Carr said when she visited the airport Tuesday. “This project illustrates the significance of maintaining and improving the infrastructure necessary to ensure the continuation of vital services like air ambulance, business and agriculture operations, and private usage. Congratulations to the communities, businesses and partners in the region for working so hard together toward a common goal to land this milestone.”
The airport is operated by the RM of Moosomin. The remainder of the project is funded by 18 municipalities across the region, area community members and various donations.
“Although our municipality owns this airport, this aviation infrastructure serves the Moosomin region’s residents, families, local businesses and industries,” RM of Moosomin No. 121 Reeve David Moffatt said. “Thanks to neighbours coming together and the provincial government’s investment, this project moved from vision to reality.”
Fixed wing air ambulances serving Saskatchewan began landing at the Moosomin Airport in July.
“With this expansion, our Saskatchewan Air Ambulance team will be able to improve the critical care and lifesaving transportation services in the southeast corner of the province,” SaskBuilds and Procurement Minister Terry Jenson said. “We appreciate the collaborative partnerships that made this a reality and look forward to the social and economic improvements this will bring to southeastern Saskatchewan.”
Kevin Weedmark of the Moosomin Chamber of Commerce, the Community Builders Alliance and the Economic Development Committee said he was happy to see the project come together.
“I was proud to chair the event in 2023 where the provincial government and Nutrien announced their support for the airport expansion, I was proud to be there this summer when the Air Ambulance landed for the first time in Moosomin, and I’m happy to see Minister Carr out today and see this project come to fruition.
“This was a massive project that is already having an impact. The airport is already much busier than before the expansion, the Air Ambulance is now able to serve the region, and with corporate jets now able to reach the region, there will be benefits for regional investment and for our resource industries. It was great to see the province come on board with this project, it was great to see Nutrien come on board with the project, it was great to see the local business community step up and it was great to see local municipalities each take a share. Collaboration builds our communities, and having everyone work together on this project made it a success.”
“This airport epitomizes the spirit of how this province and the prairies remain committed to working together,” said Jeff St. Onge, one of the organizers of the airport expansion. “It showcases strength and perseverance, dedication and relentless hard work, and is a testimony of what can happen if you have 100 businesses and personal donors, 18 towns, RMs and villages, two provinces and one provincial government working together. If you can have them working together in mutual trust, open communication and respect, you can get anything done.”
“It gives us options for those who are sick or unwell and it gives us the option to serve all of our communities that have contributed or that have in any way, shape or form been involved in this project,” says Dr. Schalk van der Merwe, who helped organize the airport expansion along with St. Onge.
“On behalf of the local private sector and the business community, we would like to say thank you very much to the provincial government for their contribution, and to Nutrien as well for their contribution. Both of those were very significant and we’re very appreciative of your generosity,” said Tyler Thorn with the Community Builders Alliance. “I believe this project is a great example of what can be accomplished when you bring together the provincial government, local municipal governments, local corporate partners, the local private sector, and some very determined people who like to get stuff done.”
“Between the government and Nutrien and everyone else that has been involved in this project, it’s unbelievable what can be done when everybody works together,” said Moosomin Mayor Larry Tomlinson.
“I have to thank Dr. Van and Jeff for all of the work that they’ve done and I want to thank the government and Nutrien especially. We’re very proud to be a part of this airport and what it’s come to be and I think going into the future, it will be part of the growth in our community here. This will do nothing but expand that and bring more to our town and the surrounding communities.”
