Saskatchewan regional airports to receive $2M for infrastructure

From left to right: MLA for Yorkton, David Chan, Mayor of Yorkton Aaron Kienle, Kim Gartner, the provincial minister of highways and Janet Keim, President of Saskatchewan Aviation Council. (Fruzsina De Cloedt/CTV News)

A total of nine community airports across Saskatchewan will be receiving part of a $2 million investment from the provincial government.

The announcement was made at Yorkton Regional Airport on Wednesday.

A portion of the funds, $934,874 to be exact, comes from Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Highways through its Community Airport Partnership program. The remaining $1.1 million will be provided by airport operators.

“The shared investment approach reflects the strong partnerships we have with communities across the province,” said Kim Gartner, Saskatchewan’s Minister of Highways.

An array of infrastructure will be eligible for upgrades under the program, including runways, taxiways, lighting systems, security fencing and navigational aids.

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For example, Yorkton’s airport is receiving $138,000 for new approach lights. A development Mayor Aaron Kienle believes is very necessary.

“One thing I’ve learned as mayor is that some of the most important infrastructure in the community is the kind that people may not think about until the moment that they need it,” he explained.

“Our airport is one of those pieces of infrastructure.”

According Gartner, the funding will aid air ambulances, firefighting, policing services and agriculture across the province.

To questions, he said the government’s investment is justified.

“[Community airports] are important links for health care. They’re important links for economic development. They’re important links for being able to promote ourselves as a sustainable district for investment coming into the province,” Gartner explained.

“By investing in these critical upgrades, we are delivering on our commitment to Protect Saskatchewan, ensuring communities remain safe, connected and positioned for growth, while supporting the essential services people rely on,” Gartner said.

Other than Yorkton, eight other communities are also receiving funding, including Assiniboia, Weyburn, and the RM of Moosomin.

Gartner said the work on the aviation projects are scheduled for the 2026 construction season.