Construction of a new ATC tower has started at Victoria Airport, Canada.
The ATC tower, which is being built by the Victoria Airport Authority and ANSP Nav Canada will have a total height of almost 28m and a total floor area of 790 square meters. The tower is expected to be completed by 2027.
Representatives from Nav Canada, the Airport Authority and local government and industry attended a groundbreaking event at the airport last week.
Raymond Bohn, president and CEO of Nav Canada said, “We are consistently working to update essential infrastructure. The new tower will enhance service delivery with improved control tower sight lines over the airfield. Additionally, to support our net-zero goals by 2050, we are adopting comprehensive strategies to ensure the sustainability of our new facilities”.
Designed in collaboration with the Victoria Airport Authority (VAA), the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified tower will be powered by green power from BC Hydro to operate with zero GHG emissions, aside from its emergency power generator.
Nav Canada is also incorporating indigenous bushes, natural grasses and wildflowers to restore Garry Oak Meadow in the tower’s landscaping. To minimize the attraction of birds for aviation safety reasons, only plants that do not yield fruits or berries have been selected as part of the landscaping project.
The control tower property will also feature permeable pavers in the parking area, which allow water to soak through them to minimize groundwater run-off and reduce the risk of flooding.
Elizabeth Brown, president and CEO of VAA said, “The services that Nav Canda provides for the complex airspace in our region is essential for the safe operation of Victoria International Airport and this investment will enhance air navigational services for years to come.
“This facility will not only improve aviation safety and efficiency but will also highlight the many ways thoughtful and sustainable design can be employed in non-traditional developments and facilities that serve unique functions. The various design elements that have been incorporated align with many of the goals in YYJ’s Sustainability Plan and we look forward to seeing the building in operation.”
The project to build the new tower was announced in 2022.
Nav Canada and the Victoria Airport Authority, today held a groundbreaking event for the construction of the new Victoria Airport Control Tower.