Stettler Airport will soon get a new fuel tank to meet new government regulations, with support from the Town of Stettler.
At its regular meeting June 15, town council tabled a staff recommendation to authorize $30,000 to purchase a new 25,000-litre double-walled fuel tank required for Stettler Airport.
“Stettler Flying Club has advised the town that the airplane refueling tank at the airport no longer meets the standards set by the Petroleum Tank Management Association of Alberta,” said town manager Rob Stoutenberg.
A letter from flying club indicates the club is committed to pay back a loan to the town over five years from revenue of fuel sales.
“We have $10,000 we can put toward the replacement tank and would therefore need to borrow about $20,000 for the difference,” said a letter from club secretary Garry Fix.
The town is committed to maintain the airport as a valuable part of the region and work with the flying club to acquire the new tank.
“It’s an important asset in the community,” said Mayor Dick Richards.
“You are a partner in the airport and we will support you.”
Over the next several weeks, the town will work with the flying club to select the best equipment for purchase and to update an agreement.
The flying club also values the airport and the fuel tank.
“By increasing fuel sales, we will continue to attract more planes here,” said president Henry Johnson who discussed the issue with council.
Policy to purchase goods and services
Council updated a policy regulating the town’s method to purchase goods and services.
“The policy provides guidelines to ensure that the Town of Stettler purchasing is carried out in an efficient, economical and legislatively compliant manner,” said Stoutenberg.
“Our goal with the policy is to purchase as much locally as we can.”
However no local preference is permitted on projects that are wholly or partially funded by the provincial or federal government.
