A modernized $150,000 runway lighting system is now operational at the Olds-Didsbury Airport.
Dignitaries and other guests attended an official unveiling of the new system on Dec. 12 following months of construction work by contractors from across Mountain View County.
The new system is much more energy efficient than the 35-year-old former system and includes high-efficiency LED lighting.
Located just west of Highway 2A between Olds and Didsbury, the airport is owned by Mountain View County and operated by the Olds-Didsbury Flying Association.
The lighting system unveiling took place in the new Calgary Flight School classroom on the airport’s east side.
Reeve Bruce Beattie said the upgraded system is designed to improve safety for air traffic.
“I think this development is great,” said Beattie. “It’s a real positive thing for our community and our regional airport, which is a positive economic driver for the future. This new lighting system is an example of improving the airport.”
The county has allocated $55,000 in the 2019 capital budget towards an economic development plan that includes the airport, he noted.
The county is also looking at the possibility of extending the runway at the airport, he said.
Association member Craig Chapman said $112,000 of the total $150,00 cost of the new lighting system came from a provincial grant.
“The new lights are drawing about a third of the power that the old system did,” said Chapman. “We were pulling 3,600 watts and now we are under 1,200 watts. Of course the LED are long-life bulbs. The labour to install this was all done with local contactors. We did it all local.”
Olds-Didsbury MLA Nathan Cooper called the new lighting system a great addition to the airport.
Larry Biever, a director with the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association, also called the new system a worthwhile upgrade to the facility. Keeping Canada’s smaller airports up to date benefits air travellers everywhere, he said.
“Every time you fly somewhere on Westjet or Air Canada or whatever, chances are the person up front flying you around started somewhere like here,” said Biever. “These (smaller) airports are so critical to aviation.”
