The CEO of the Thompson Regional Airport Authority says the new terminal will be more than a place to pick up or drop off people travelling to and from the community.

 

Curtis Ross explains the more spacious terminal will address accessibility, allow multiple flights come and go at the same time, have more retail space, and give opportunities for local and Indigenous artisans to showcase their work.

 

Ross specifically says the vision is for the new terminal to be a place for people in the community to go out to socialize and take in the sights.

 

“We’re going to make the terminal a meeting place. If you want to go out for a Sunday afternoon drive and have a coffee or sit and eat with your friends, you will have that opportunity within the facility. Also the opportunity comes for businesses that are within the community, they can have a satellite like Robin’s Donuts does, but it will have more than just venue available. It will be a really nice, comfortable space for people to come out and an opportunity for them just to do something different. Come and watch airplanes, take a drive and enjoy it.”    

 

Late last month, provincial government ministers announced in Thompson that the airport authority would receive 15 million dollars to build a new terminal, which Ross says will likely begin construction sometime either late May or early June.

 

He anticipates it could take between 2 to 2 and a half years for the new terminal to be complete.

 

The full interview with Ross can be heard this afternoon at 12:40 and 5:10 on Thompson Today.