NAV CANADA To Build The New Structure, Replacing 45-Year-Old Facility

A new air traffic control tower will be built by NAV CANADA at the Region of Waterloo International Airport. The new structure will replace the existing tower built over 45 years ago. Work is set to begin this month and is anticipated to be completed by the summer 2017.

"The new tower will be significantly taller than what we have today. The added height will improve controllers' sightlines to all the airport's runways, taxiways and aprons," says Rudy Kellar, NAV CANADA Executive Vice President, Service Delivery. "The tower cab will be larger and provide controllers with a 360-degree view of the airfield."

At 64 feet tall, the new tower will be almost 16 feet taller than the present structure. The larger cab will expand the controllers' workspace to 3345 square feet. The four story building will have an elevator.

"This new facility will be well suited for the existing traffic and will meet the future needs of our airport," said said Ken Seiling, Waterloo Regional Chair.

"The Region of Waterloo International Airport is an important gateway for the region and I am pleased that NAV CANADA is making this significant investment in the airport," says the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport. "These types of investments in our aviation infrastructure will benefit both residents and businesses in the area."

"The current tower was built in 1969," notes Kellar. "At that time it was situated near the centre of the airport. Since then, runway 08/26 has been extended a further 3,300 feet to the east which put the centre well east of the tower's location."

The new facility will also feature much needed office space, a conference room, a fitness room, a quiet lounge, a lunch room and a training classroom. For controllers working in the cab there will be three new ergonomically designed consoles.

(Artists rendering provided by NAV CANADA)

FMI: www.navcanada.ca