Lacombe County will contribute its share toward repairs to the south taxiway at the Lacombe Regional Airport after council approved funding for the long-planned rehabilitation project at its June 25 meeting.

Council approved $12,338.75, representing the county's 25 per cent share of the project. The remaining costs will be shared by the City of Lacombe, which will provide 50 per cent, and the Lacombe Flying Club, which will contribute the remaining 25 per cent under the airport's operating agreement.

The rehabilitation project has an estimated total cost of $49,355. The work will involve removing the deteriorated asphalt and failed base before installing a new base and asphalt surface on the south taxiway.

According to information presented to council, the taxiway has reached a point where its deteriorating condition has become a significant safety concern for airport users. Recent heavy rainfall is believed to have accelerated the failure by weakening the underlying base, leading to extensive damage to the asphalt surface.

The Lacombe Regional Airport Committee reviewed the condition of the taxiway at its June 12 meeting and unanimously recommended proceeding with the repairs, provided all three funding partners approved their respective contributions. The committee also recommended awarding the contract to the successful bidder identified by the City of Lacombe's engineering department.

Although the project was originally identified for completion in 2023 under the airport's 10-year capital plan, it was delayed. County administration noted that funding is available through the airport capital reserve, which is maintained specifically for regional airport infrastructure projects.

With all funding partners expected to participate, the south taxiway rehabilitation is scheduled to be completed during the 2026 construction season.