Sturgeon County may borrow some $1.3 million this year to build a water line to the Villeneuve Airport.
On Feb. 25, County council passed first reading of a motion to borrow $1,310,126 to build the Villeneuve Airport Water Supply Line.
Villeneuve Airport currently has to truck in all its water from off-site, which is a significant barrier to growth, county utility and waste services manager Jeff Yanew said in an interview. This loan would finance the construction of a 200 mm water line that would let the airport pipe in water from the Villeneuve Reservoir about two kilometres away, allowing for future development.
“Villeneuve has been identified as a growth node in Sturgeon County,” Yanew noted, and other non-airport businesses there could also hook into this line.
Yanew’s report to council found Villeneuve Airport could become an economic driver for the Edmonton Metropolitan region, as it is already a major transportation/air logistics hub and host of the Edmonton Airshow. A 2017 study by Edmonton International Airport found that Villeneuve Airport added the equivalent of $61.8 million and 230 full-time jobs to the regional economy each year.
Speaking by phone, Coun. Wayne Bokenfohr said this new line would improve firefighting capabilities at the airport and allow for bigger buildings.
“This is a huge step for Villeneuve,” he said, and a positive one for the county and the region.
Yanew’s report noted it was unclear how the Villeneuve Landing Network might contribute to this water line project. Said network is a regional alliance of governments and business organizations meant to promote Villeneuve Airport.
In an interview, Mayor Alanna Hnatiw said the network was still finalizing its membership and had yet to make decisions on cost sharing or shared investment. The group was set to meet Feb. 27.
Should this bylaw and all other permits be approved, Yanew said this water line could be in place as early as November.
The bylaw returns for second reading April 14.
