New, larger airport terminal nearing completion in Thompson, Man.
Expected to open by end of year, terminal will feature new amenities
Thompson residents can soon expect a new airport terminal, opening before the end of the year, with amenities including expanded dining options, both before and after security.
At 40,000 square feet, the terminal is much larger than the existing 14,000-square-foot terminal, which was built several decades ago, and is currently sinking into the ground, according to Curtis Ross, CEO of the Thompson Airport Authority.
"It'll be good for the travelling public and the people coming in and out of northern Manitoba," Ross told CBC News while touring the new facility, which is undergoing the final stages of construction, and expected to be turned over by the end of October.
He said the real differentiator for the new terminal will be what it offers flyers.
"It's the comforts, it's the amenities … we have numerous restaurant locations, numerous retail opportunities within it. I always say it's more than just an airport," he said.
Ross sees the airport as being a place for Thompson residents to come out and spend time at, regardless of whether they're flying or not.
"It's almost like a mall … I expect people will come out here for a drive just for something different. Sit out here. It's a beautiful atmosphere," he said.
The new terminal is expected to have five restaurant locations within the building, compared with one small kiosk at the old terminal, including options past security, which the current terminal does not offer.
The new terminal also comes with a side project for the airport: a new water treatment facility.
"The old building, you think of it, we had to haul water for 50 years there. So part of this whole development was the development of the water treatment plant," Ross said.
The old terminal, Ross said, will still be used in a reduced capacity, but will eventually be decommissioned since it keeps sinking despite numerous attempts to fix it.
"[Transport Canada has] tried many times to remediate and remediate and it just keeps settling," he said.
Ross said the airport worked with airlines to create a better experience for everybody involved, which includes two entirely separate baggage handling processes and passenger areas for flights to Winnipeg and flights going to remote communities in Manitoba, which do not require flyers to go through security.
Ethel Timbang, President of Thompson's chamber of commerce, said first impressions for incoming investors and business people is important. She's also hoping added capacity in the future might lead to more airline competition, and eventually to lower ticket prices in the north.
"I hope they could have better competition and invite more players, so the cost of the ticket will go down," she said.
The new terminal isn't expected to impact the price of airplane tickets, as that decision largely lies with the airlines, Ross said.
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