Boundary Bay Airport will be getting a new helipad thanks to a grant from the provincial government.

Delta North MLA Scott Hamilton presented Fred Kaiser, chairman of airport operator Alpha Aviation, Acting-Mayor Sylvia Bishop and Corporation of Delta CAO George Harvey with a cheque for $174,300 at a ramp-side ceremony Tuesday morning.

The funding, which was allocated under the provincial government’s B.C. Air Access Program, will go to improve safety and meet increasing demand for helicopter and fixed wing traffic by relocating current helipads to a new dedicated area separated from both the apron and taxiways.

“Upgrading our regional airports is a priority” Hamilton said. “We understand the important role they play in connecting the people of our province, connecting businesses to consumers and in connecting B.C. to the world.”

The government is investing $24 million over three years through the B.C. Air Access Program. Last year, the program provided just over $6 million towards improvements at ten regional airports across the province.

By cost-sharing on development projects, the program enables with airports to improve safety, accommodate larger aircraft and more frequent flights, and further support economic growth both locally and across the province.

The program also encourages funding partnerships with the federal government, local and regional governments and agencies, and the private sector.

“We are proud to work with both the province and the Corporation of Delta to improve service to our customers,” Kaiser said. “We thank [them] for this funding and look forward to continuing the development of Boundary Bay as a premier Canadian airport.”