The Maple Creek Airport received a gift from the province late last week just in time for Christmas.

The southwest airport was one of five from across the province to be approved on Thursday by the Saskatchewan government for funding through the Community Airport Partnership (CAP).

On the airport's wishlist was a new beacon that will cost just under $3,600, with the cost to be split 50/50 between the town and province.

"It's a sort of lighting that pilots can spot as they're coming into an airport," Steve Shaheen, a senior communications consultant with Saskatchewan's Ministry of Highways, said.

Earlier this year, the airport was approved for CAP funding in the neighbourhood of $2,100 from the provincial government to paint lines and numbers on the runway. And in late May 2020, they also received a chunk of funding for a nearly $44,000 runway sealing project.

"Since the program's inception, they [Maple Creek] have received more than $180,000," he said. "That's for sealing the runway and tarmac, GPS, re-painting runway lines, resurfacing the tarmac, runway sealing, and agricultural oil seal. They've received a considerable amount of funding just to maintain that airport which is obviously very important for that community."

Since the launch of CAP in 2007, 42 community airports in the province have been approved for funding with more than $10.5 million invested from the ministry. Some southwest airports to receive funding for projects include the Swift Current Airport, Leader Airport, Shaunavon Airport, Frontier Airport, and Maple Creek Airport.

"In the case of the southwest, by partnering with municipalities we're ensuring a network of airports is in place to enhance things like economic development in sectors like tourism, oil and gas, agriculture, and mining," he said. "Of course, all of those things are important for that part of the province."

Applications for CAP grants available for the province's 2022-23 fiscal year will open next month.