Attention News Editors
WINNIPEG, Sept. 15 /CNW/ - The Winnipeg Airports Authority (WAA) today broke ground on an airport redevelopment program that will initiate a bold new era of transportation for Manitoba and beyond.
WAA Board Chairman Arthur Mauro noted at the official sod turning ceremony, held on the site of the future airport terminal building: "Today, we are putting years of planning, design, preparation, and pencil sharpening, from the computer drawing boards into reality," stated Mauro. "We would like to acknowledge and thank all of those who have worked hard to bring us to this historic occasion - staff, industry colleagues, public officials, so many others, including all of the individuals who use our airport facility for business and pleasure."
Mr. Mauro, along with Province of Member of Parliament for St. Boniface Ray Simard, Manitoba Minister of Transportation Ron Lemieux, City of Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz, and WAA President & CEO Barry Rempel, turned the sod to officially commence construction on the $560 million airport redevelopment program that will include a new airport terminal, a four-level parkade, and surrounding roadways, taxiways and aprons.
"The airport redevelopment will not only be a source of pride for our community, it will also set a new standard of excellence in the way airports are operated in Canada," stated WAA President & CEO Barry Rempel. "Today we are witnessing the evolution of an airport city."
"With the terminal and infrastructure redevelopment as a centrepiece for our airport campus the opportunities are endless for a variety of industrial, commercial, retail, business and entertainment offerings that revolve around the airport environment," stated Rempel. "In concert with the economic growth of our community, business will be able take advantage of opportunities that focus on our traveling customers, international cargo links, and in servicing the air transportation needs of our region."
Construction on the four-level parkade will commence this fall with the construction of the 51,000 square-meter terminal building commencing in the fall of 2006. The entire development is expected to be complete by 2009. The economic impact of the project will involve 7,300 person years of employment, wages of $311 million and GDP of $391 million.
The latest renderings of the development, created by world-class architectural and engineering firms Cesar Pelli & Associates and Stantec Architecture, will be displayed at the current Winnipeg International Airport Terminal and future community consultation sessions. Images of the latest renderings are also available on the waa website: waa.ca.
The new terminal reflects the wide open spaces of the prairie landscape with clear sightlines throughout the facility and provide scenic viewpoints of Winnipeg's skyline.
The Winnipeg Airports Authority serves our region by providing value to our customers and community. A source of pride for our community, we strive to be a leader in its growth and development.
Kelly Langevin, Manager Media Relations, Winnipeg Airports Authority Inc., 249-2000 Wellington Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3H 1C2, Phone: (204) 987-2021, 24 Hour Media Line: (204) 992-2791, www.waa.ca
