Swift Current has one of 12 community airports that are getting cost-shared grant money from the province of Saskatchewan.

The Swift Current Airport's application was approved, so $46,500 will come from the provincial government, and that will match $46,500 the airport will spend on improvements through the Community Airport Partnership (CAP) program.

The money will be spent on the re-designation of the runway, asphalt maintenance, lighting upgrade, as well as runway and taxiway markings.

"We're pleased to see that money as it complements some of the airfield maintenance projects that we had budgeted for in 2018," said Airport Manager Todd Schultz. "For us, this year, that includes a major runway signage project. The magnetic headings of the primary runway have changed. That entails replacement of some signage. So, of course, we'll be upgrading it to modern LED signage, and the new aerodrome standards that came out a few years back require additional signage as well."

Schultz added that, with over 1 million square feet of asphalt at the airport, a good chunk of their budget every year goes towards its maintenance.

They're also doing a minor upgrade to some floodlighting at the terminal where the aircraft are parked overnight.

"It's a unique program because it's matching contribution, and overall about $7 million has been invested in community airports since 2008," said Steve Shaheen of the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure. "Coupled with that 50/50 matching community contribution, that's about $14 million in airport rehabilitation. And like I mentioned 36 different community airports have benefited from the program since its start."

To date, Swift Current has received over $400,000 for upgrades.

Larger airports that have had passenger service for three or more years are eligible for federal funding, while the community airports get CAP money which goes towards things like asphalt, maintenance, wildlife fences, and line painting.

"Community and regionally-owned airports support vital services like air ambulance, law enforcement and firefighting," said Highways and Infrastructure Minister David Marit said.

"A mile of highway gets you a mile down the road; a mile of runway gets you the world," added Saskatchewan Aviation Council President Janet Keim. "I applaud the smaller communities in realizing the potential and value of their airports in both economic growth as well as the social benefits for their region."