The Elk Point Airport Committee has been informed that there are a number of deficiencies at the Elk Point Airport - the electrical system which provides lighting for aircraft at night, the beacon tower, the runway, apron directional lighting, trees, and fence. The lights and beacon tower have been "No Tam" for 3 months.
Integrated Airport Systems (IASL) Ltd. has offered to conduct a Technical Inspection and evaluation of the Airside Electrical System and clearance requirements at no costs, however should funding become available from the province, then IASL would be compensated.
More recently, both the Town of Elk Point and the County have received letters from Alberta Transportation advising the municipalities that the Province would like to sell the Elk Point Airport to the Town and County for the price of $1.
The Airport Authority passed a resolution to approve the Engineering Services for the Elk Point Airport from IASL at a cost of $7,000 subject to grant funding being approved from Alberta Transportation for the $7,000 plus all and any other improvements required by the Airport. However, should Alberta Transportation not accept the final report from IASL, the Airport Committee, comprised of the County and the Town, will not be held responsible for the required fees.
At the Joint municipal meeting held on June 24, 2015 between the Town of Elk Point and the County of St. Paul, the issue regarding the joint purchase of the Elk Point Airport was discussed. Both Councils felt that is was important that any deficiencies as discovered by the Engineering report discussed above be funded by Alberta Transportation as correcting the deficiencies may require significant resources. The Councils were also concerned regarding the liability associated with the deficiencies if ownership was transferred to the municipalities. Consequently the two Councils discussed presenting the following motion from each municipality forward:
That the County of St. Paul approve the joint purchase of the Elk Point Airport with the Town of Elk Point subject to the Province providing funding for a Technical Inspection and evaluation of the Airside Electrical System and clearance requirements by IASL for $7,000 and additionally that the Province provide funding for any required repairs to fix identified deficiencies within 3-5 years; furthermore that the liability for the airport rest with the Province until such time that the deficiencies identified can be funded and repaired.