By Lisa Gordon | September 27, 2017 Estimated reading time 4 minutes, 8 seconds.
The 11 air traffic controllers at the Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF) may have the nicest workplace in Nav Canada’s network of 41 control towers.
Canada’s air navigation services provider has officially opened its brand new $5 million tower at YKF, a facility that was completed on time and on budget over a two-year period.
The new tower replaces the previous structure, which was built in 1969 and was among the oldest air traffic control towers in Canada.
Airport expansion has shifted the geographic centre of the airfield and the new tower’s location is more central, providing controllers with improved 360-degree sightlines over the entire airport property.
The new building stands head and shoulders above its predecessor, both literally and figuratively.
At 19.4 metres (64 feet) tall, the new tower is almost five metres (16 feet) higher than the old building. The air traffic control “cab” has also been expanded by eight square metres (85 square feet).
Equipment in the cab has also been modernized and includes ergonomically designed consoles, a new weather information display system, and updated electronic strips that provide critical flight, airport and gate data. Controllers received two full days of training at the new facility before it officially went into operation.
Air traffic controllers–who generally work two hours on station at a time–can take a break in the tower’s fitness room, quiet lounge, or kitchen before returning to their duties.
Steven Boyd, unit operations specialist and tower supervisor, said the kitchen facilities are a welcome improvement over the stove that used to be situated right in the cab of the old tower.
The building also features improved HVAC and security systems as well as an elevator, office space, a conference room and a training classroom.
The new tower is the first to be completed as part of Nav Canada’s $500 million, three-year plan to update and renew its infrastructure and technology. Similar facilities are also under construction in Oshawa, Ont., and Pitt Meadows and Langley airports in B.C.
Ron Singer, Nav Canada’s national manager of media relations, told Skies the new facility was built to grow with the airport, which currently handles 100,000-plus aircraft movements annually. The diverse activity on the field includes flight training aircraft, helicopters, business jets and commercial passenger flights.
The old Waterloo tower is currently being dismantled and should be gone within the next two weeks. Airport general manager Chris Wood said the land will eventually facilitate terminal expansion as the Region of Waterloo International Airport continues to grow.
In 2016, the airport processed 127,824 passengers and was identified as one of the top 20 busiest airports in Canada.
