NEWS RELEASE
TOWN OF KAPUSKASING
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KAPUSKASING – The Town of Kapuskasing is excited to announce the construction of a new municipal multi-use hangar at the Kapuskasing airport. The 14,000 square foot facility will serve as a hub for air freight transportation to First Nation communities located on the James Bay Coast.
North Star Air, the airline that offers freight service, has been operating from the Kapuskasing airport since April this year. The new facility will enhance and streamline their operation as well as allow them to operate more efficiently throughout the challenging northern winter season.
The Kapuskasing Economic Development Corporation (KEDC) had been working on this project for three years. It involved finding a long-term tenant, and securing the appropriate funds for the project. Both the federal and provincial governments approved $1,000,000 each in funding for the project, and the tenant was confirmed earlier this year.
A tender process took place to determine and award the contract to build the new facility which Lachance Construction was selected as the successful bidder. Construction of the facility will start in the next few weeks where the Kapuskasing Flying Club is currently located at the airport. Construction is expected to be completed early in the new year.
Mayor Spacek is pleased with the progress of this project and stated: “This project is the result of many years of work, and it goes to show that you can never give up on economic opportunities for the region. The Town of Kapuskasing is very pleased in becoming once again a distribution hub for the north, as it was years ago when Jessel’s, a local distributor, was supplying and delivering goods to our coastal communities. We are confident that it will stimulate the economy and create some local employment for our region.”
As for the Kapuskasing Flying Club, its activities will be relocated to another hangar. President of the club, Roger Isabelle, is very supportive of the project.
“Even though the club is directly impacted by this project with the relocation of our equipment, office space and plane, the primary objective of the club is to promote aviation. This new operation at the Kapuskasing airport will create some air traffic and will ensure the airport stays viable and operational for all other aviation enthusiasts”
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