Saskatoon airport preparing for $12M arrivals renovation, leasing development land

Saskatoon’s airport is in the final planning stages of a $12 million renovation to its arrivals area. Stacey Hein reports.

Saskatoon’s John G. Diefenbaker International Airport could soon be getting a new look, as the Saskatoon Airport Authority says it’s in the final planning stages of a $12-million renovation of the arrivals area.

Stephen Maybury, president and CEO of the Saskatoon Airport Authority, said construction is tentatively set to begin in June, with work happening in phases over the next 18 to 24 months.

“We have to keep operating the airport at the same time, so we want to phase this in a way that minimizes operational disruption,” he said.

Along with a redesigned car rental area and expanded entry and exit vestibule, the space will feature a prairie-themed look inspired by the sun, river and prairie grasses.

“We want it to have an identity and to represent Saskatchewan, such that when, for example, international guests arrive, it reflects the type of experience they can expect here,” Maybury said.

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Passenger numbers at the Saskatoon airport continue to climb. About 1.517 million travellers passed through the airport last year, good for the second-busiest year on record, according to an airport release.

Maybury said the airport authority is also working to diversify its revenue beyond passenger travel, offering up to 60 acres of land for industrial development along the airport’s south perimeter on Claypool Drive.

“What a lot of airports and business have done, have learned from the pandemic event, is attempting to diversify revenue away from that element to give us greater certainty and stability heading forward.”

The airport authority is working with commercial real estate firm Colliers to market the land. Keith Webb, vice-president with Colliers, said the property is hitting the market at a key time, with industrial vacancy rates low across Saskatchewan.

“We’re looking for partners who value sustainability, collaboration and community impact,” Webb said.

The site would be available for industrial development through a long-term land lease extending to 2079.