CAP Administrative Procedures Guidelines

COMMUNITY AIRPORT PROGRAM

Grant Procedures Manual

Index

Objective

Alberta Transportation's overall goal is to maintain and protect the existing network of public licensed community airports in support of:

  • safe airport operations

  • general aviation operations and commercial air charters

  • forest fire suppression and medi-vac operations

  • local and regional economic development

  • protection of provincial investment in airports

The objective of the Community Airport Program is to provide financial assistance for the rehabilitation and construction of Alberta's community-owned public-use airports.

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Time Frame

The Community Airport Program is an ongoing program.

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Project Eligibility Criteria

For existing airports, eligible projects include major capital rehabilitation of the airside portion of the airport specifically the aircraft operating areas such as:

  • primary runway
  • apron, and
  • primary taxiway from main/terminal apron to runway

Typical projects would be pavement rehabilitation, including fog seals, slurry seals, and overlays.  Consideration will be given to runway extensions where benefits can be demonstrated in terms of the overall goals of the Program, where budget is available, and where beneficiaries provide a significant financial contribution to the project.  The program will provide up to 1/3 funding with the municipality and industry required to each fund 1/3.  Land acquisition and any retrofits/improvements to the existing lighting, drainage, etc. are the municipality's costs.

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Funding Availability

The Community Airport Program is currently funded at approximately $2.0 million annually.

For approved projects, up to 100% of the eligible cost is available for funding.  The municipality is required to undertake projects on a contract basis.  Private sector contractors and suppliers must be used to carry out all work.  Any applicable GST is the responsibility of the municipality.

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Procedures

A municipality seeking assistance under this program should submit a request for assistance to the Regional Director in their area prior to November 30.  As a minimum, the request should contain the following items:

  • condition assessment of the infrastructure
  • economic and service level rationale for the project
  • description of the work
  • estimate of costs
  • timing of project
  • additional sources of funding, e.g. private sector
  • annual aircraft movements

The Regional Directors will forward the applications with their recommendations to the Municipal Programs Section, where all projects across the Province will be evaluated and ranked.  The proposed program will be submitted for departmental review to finalize the prioritized list and the highest priority projects, subject to budget availability, will then be forwarded to the Minister for approval.

Once a project has been approved, the municipality will be expected to enter into a project agreement between Alberta Transportation and the municipality.

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Exclusions

The following are NOT ELIGIBLE for funding:

  • all buildings, including terminals and storage areas/sheds
  • new cross-wind runways, secondary runways and taxiways, and runway extensions
  • development areas, access roads, fencing and drainage
  • lighting, navigation aids, runway marking painting, water/sewer, power and utilities
  • operating and normal routine maintenance
  • land acquisition

Municipal labour and equipment are not eligible under this program nor are private airports that do not permit public use.  Any airports that are eligible for federal assistance programs are not eligible under this program.

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Credit items

Investment revenue

Funds received from the department, or received from the Alberta Municipal Finance Corporation with respect to the project, in excess of current expenditures must be invested in a separate account.

Project revenue earned through the investment of these funds shall be deducted from project costs before the grant calculation is made.  Municipalities requiring more information on interest policy should contact the department.

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Revisions

The municipality must notify the department of any changes to the project cost or scope as soon as possible.

The department will review the situation and may approve funding and scope changes depending upon the circumstances of each case within the limits of eligibility.

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