Community Airport Partnership Program

Community airports may use CAP funding for improvements, such as upgrades to:

• runways;
• taxiways; and
• lighting and navigational systems.

These upgrades will support:

• local and regional economic development;
• general access to surrounding communities;
• safe airport operations;
• general aviation operations and commercial air charters; and
• air ambulance and medevac operations.

Eligible applicants include regionally-focused municipal or community-owned airports that are not eligible for airport assistance under the federal government’s Airport Capital Assistance Program (ACAP). Applicants must be willing to fund the proposed project on an equal cost-shared basis (50/50) to a maximum of $275,000.

Priority is given to safety-related air-side capital improvement projects, such as rehabilitation of:

• runways;
• taxiways and aprons;
• existing lighting; and
• navigation/weather reporting systems.

Eligible projects could also include engineering services. Projects must meet acceptable engineering standards and may be subject to environmental approval from appropriate agencies. Applicants are required to solicit competitive bids for the work. Applications without contractor estimates will not be accepted.

Details on eligible and ineligible projects are available in the program and application guideline.

Project Proposal:

• Summary description of the project (attach plan details separately);
• Overall needs and justification for the project;
• Economic and social benefits, including potential regional impacts, of the project;
• Contractor estimates of costs of the work;
• Environmental statement, if required; and
• Timing of project.

Project Funding

• Total estimated project cost cash requirements, in-kind contributions;
• Letter indicating your commitment to fund 50 per cent of the cost, including partnerships with neighbouring municipalities and local business and the amounts they will contribute;
• Amount of funding requested from the program; and
• Recognition of the municipality being responsible for the GST.

Airport Name and Location

• Airport name and location;
• Indicate estimated users and frequency. Users could include business charter recreation, air ambulance, police, crop sprayers, etc;
• Contact name and title; and
• Contact information (phone, e-mail, fax).

Airport characteristics

• Certified or registered status;
• Runway dimensions (feet);
• Surface type;
• Surface condition;
• Navigation aids;
• Lighting;
• Type of aircraft accommodated;
• Other; and
• Assessment of the condition of the current infrastructure.

*The application should not exceed 10 pages.

Applications will be reviewed to ensure they meet acceptable engineering and environmental standards. The applicant must notify the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure of any changes to the project cost or scope as soon as possible. The applicant is responsible for any additional costs exceeding the approved project funding.

Review Process

The evaluation and ranking of projects will be completed by an independent review panel consisting of representatives from the Saskatchewan Aviation Council (SAC) and operations specialists from the Regina Airport Authority (RAA), the Saskatoon Airport Authority (SAA) and the Ministry. The panel will prioritize projects through an objective, consensual process. Preference will be given to communities who partner with other communities and businesses.

The prioritized projects will then receive final Ministry approval in April 2018. Once a project has been approved, the applicant will be expected to enter into a contribution agreement with the Government of Saskatchewan.