A transfer of Crown land to the Town of Princeton provides for the future expansion of the regional airport and supports the ongoing prosperity of the region, announced Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Bill Bennett today.

This Crown grant transfers approximately 21 hectares surrounding the Princeton Regional Airport. The land is an integral part of aircraft approach and take-off as its addition would allow for the expansion of the runway and facilities to increase airport capacity.

The Crown land being transferred is a portion of the property considered to be included when the federal government ceded ownership of the airport to the Town of Princeton in 1996. This Crown land grant corrects the oversight. The Princeton Regional Airport has been in operation for over 70 years and provides an important transportation link to the area.

Quotes:

Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Bill Bennett -

"A goal of the B.C. government is to support actions that make our communities favourable to growth and development. Transferring this land will not only correct a past oversight, but provide for the future expansion of the airport which plays a central role in the vitality of the town and surrounding regions."

Mayor of Princeton Frank Armitage -

"We are grateful to the B.C. government for this Crown land grant to the Town of Princeton. Our town is one of the main gateways into the B.C. Southern Interior. This land transfer enables the expansion of our airport, which will enhance access to our community - making it more inviting to visitors and helping us boost our economy in the tourism and business sectors."

Quick Facts:

• The Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development has yearly allocations to sponsor Crown grants or nominal rent tenures for local governments and community organizations.

• The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations manages the land transfer process, once a sponsoring ministry agrees to sponsor a grant of Crown land.

• The value of the land for this project has been assessed at $180,000 and consists of 21 hectares.

Learn More:

For more information on sponsored Crown grants and nominal rent tenures and links to other sites with information, visit:http://www.cscd.gov.bc.ca/lgd/gov_structure/sponsored_crown_grants/index.htm

Contact:

Matt Gordon
Communications Director
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 953-3677