Yellowknife (Mar 30/05) - Site preparation for the $11.2 million upgrades to the Yellowknife Airport is underway and construction won't be far behind.

Perimeter fencing was put up early last week on the south side of the building and work at the north end is expected to commence April 7, said airport manager Michel Lafrance.

Project completion is slated for next January. Additions will go up on the north and south sides of the terminal.

The trigger for the project was effectively pulled by the terrorists who attacked New York and Washington on Sept. 11, 2001.

As a result, the Canadian Air Transportation Security Authority and the federal government are requiring new security systems in Yellowknife, including a checked-baggage screening system, be installed before 2006.

Part of the money - $4.6 million for the equipment - will come from the security authority with the remainder drawing out of Government of the NWT coffers.

"The airport is very, very busy. It's the 18th busiest in Canada overall and the 10th busiest in cargo," said Lafrance.

"The challenge while construction is going on is to minimize the inconvenience."

North end work

Clark Builders is performing the work on the north end of the terminal.

The company will construct a two-storey addition that will accommodate the baggage screening system as well as a baggage storage area.

Clark's list also has on it improvements to the existing building, including the installation of a second baggage carousel in the arrivals area, new passenger check-in counters, expansion of offices, a departure lounge and a food and beverage service.

The Edmonton-based builder will also construct a new de-icing area by summer's end.

Most of the fill for this part of the job has already been hauled to the site, said Greg Yates, a buildings and planning officer with the Department of Transportation's airports division.

The larger de-icing area will also allow for parking any jets larger than 737s forced to land in Yellowknife in emergency situations, he said.

At the other end of the terminal, Dowland Contracting is handling things, said Lafrance.

The company will build a single-storey addition to house airport administration offices and a non-secure departure lounge, said Yates.

Energy-efficient elements have been added to plans, such as the use of two carousel doors as well as blowers in the new baggage area to keep the cold air out.

- with files from Mike W. Bryant