Golden Runway Award recognizes St. Paul Regional Airports
The County of St. Paul, Town of St. Paul, Town of Elk Point, and St. Paul / Elk Point (STEP) Economic Development Alliance received the Alberta Airports Management Association (AAMA) Golden Runway Award. The award is presented at the annual AAMA Conference in acknowledgement of an airport that has gone above and beyond in supporting airports in Alberta. The award recognized both airports within County of St. Paul boundaries – the St. Paul Municipal Airport and Elk Point Airport.
“Improvements at the St. Paul Municipal and Elk Point airports, as well as the overall advocacy for regional or community airports, have been a collaborative effort between the municipalities and the STEP organization,” shared Linda Sallstrom, Economic Development Officer for STEP.
Such improvements that were noted in the nomination include rehabilitating the airfield pavement at both airports and replacing the lighting systems with modern LED fixtures. The St. Paul Municipal Airport pavement project received $1.2 million in STIP grant funding in 2024 and will take place in 2025, with the grant applicant share to be funded 50/50 by the Town and County.
“Ensuring the infrastructure remains intact and strong is strategic to both rural connectivity and social well-being,” Sallstrom added.
Other strategies focus on operations and economic development opportunities. An operational focus in 2024 was the transfer of Elk Point Airport’s operations from the Town of Elk Point to the County of St. Paul.
“The County of St. Paul and the Town of Elk Point have been managing and operating the Elk Point Airport for many years, efficiently and effectively,” noted Ken Gwozdz, former Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Elk Point, “[The airport] provides excellent service to the region, including our partners at Frog Lake First Nation, local industries, and local businesses. The importance of our regional airport provides essential medivac services as well as utilization for Cold Lake Air Base.”
After assuming operations of Elk Point Airport, the County prepared a two-airport Operations Manual and had staff complete winter maintenance training, ensuring consistent approaches for both regional airports. An economic development study and Area Structure Plan for Elk Point Airport were prepared over 2023-2024, and STEP is working with University nuhelot’įne thaiyots’į nistameyimâkanak Blue Quills to study the feasibility of opening a flight training program at St. Paul Municipal Airport.
“The work being completed by STEP and through the airports is building on our commitment to regionalization,” said Jason Wallsmith, County of St. Paul’s Chief Administrative Officer. “It’s exciting to have received a prestigious award that recognizes our collective efforts for a regional approach.”