The Delta Chamber of Commerce is inviting business people and residents to a networking luncheon next week to learn about development opportunities at Boundary Bay Airport.
The luncheon is set for Wednesday, Sept. 14 at the main terminal of the airport.
Mayor Lois Jackson will speak about the extension of the airport operating lease between Delta and Alpha Aviation to 2099, a new master servicing plan and the opportunities for development at the airport arising from these improvements.
Alpha Aviation president Lynda Hogarth will speak about Alpha's plans to expand services in an effort to offer a viable alternative to Vancouver International Airport for key market segments.
The economic impact of Boundary Bay Airport, which already contributes over $90 million in gross domestic product impact to the Corporation of Delta and surrounding communities, is expected to start growing as a 20-year master development plan gets underway.
"The positive impact of this growth, on businesses not only located at the airport, but throughout Delta and beyond, in the manufacturing, construction, transportation, retail and services sectors, can be tremendous," said Alpha Aviation general manager Greg Fong.
Chamber chair Ian Tait said the airport provides a major economic development opportunity for Delta and surrounding area.
"It will attract developers and ultimately businesses to the Boundary Bay Airport area, some related to aviation sector and others looking for an excellent location in the heart of the Lower Mainland accessible to all modes of transportation," said Tait.
Alpha Aviation, which manages the airport on behalf of Delta, is continuing to develop the facilities and land into an important industrial airport and a major component of the Lower Mainland airport infrastructure.
According to Alpha Aviation, Boundary Bay is one of the top aviation training centres in Canada. It serves as a reliever to Vancouver International Airport (YVR). With recent capital investments and expansion, Boundary Bay now has the capacity to accommodate corporate business aircraft, smaller regional air carriers and serve as a major aviation industry centre.
"Development of the industrial lands at the Boundary Bay Airport presents excellent prospects for business, while at the same time offering important benefits to the community in the form of enhanced infrastructure and employment opportunities," said Jackson. "The 80th Street overpass currently under construction will provide a primary uninterrupted access road to Boundary Bay Airport and benefit Delta by minimizing traffic delays, improving safety and ensuring efficient emergency access to the airport."
Doors open for the luncheon at 11: 30 a.m. and the event runs until 1: 30 p.m.
Cost is $35 for chamber members and $45 for nonmembers. Register at www. deltachamber.ca.
