Region's bill for new airport parking lot could hit $6.6 million

Regional council will vote Wednesday to support an additional budget of $763,000 for the construction of a new parking lot at the Region of Waterloo International Airport.

This is in addition to the already committed allocation of $$5,882,000.00.

Work under the contract includes the construction of a new parking lot on airport lands with a connection onto Fountain Street, just south of the current airport development area and north of Kossuth Road.

The project, in accordance with the Airport Master Plan, will increase available surface parking. Staff anticipate that additional parking capacity will be needed by the summer to support increased air service by Flair Airlines.

The airport currently has 728 public parking spaces available and was at full capacity in August, 2021. The parking lot is designed to provide an additional 611 parking spaces to accommodate the additional flights scheduled in 2022. An additional 945 parking spaces can be added as required in the future.

The new parking lot will require shuttle service, to transport passengers between the terminal building and the proposed parking lot. Staff plan to present a shuttle service report for Council’s consideration on June 22.

Staff from the Township of Woolwich and Grand River Conservation Authority have been engaged in accordance with the site plan approval process.

Subject to Council approval, work under the contract will begin June 6, with completion expected by the end of 2022.