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BC Aviation Council honours Cranbrook airport

Canadian Rockies International Airport has been awarded the William Templeton Award for exceptional development of a regional airport
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The staff of the Canadian Rockies International Airport are proud to accept the William Templeton Award later this month. Pictured

The Canadian Rockies International Airport has been recognized as the most exceptional regional airport by the BC Aviation Council.

The Cranbrook airport will be awarded the William Templeton Award on October 25 for aviation market development, community outreach and environmental initiatives.

"Every year there is only one award given for this division, which is the exceptional development of a regional airport," said managing director Tristen Chernove.

The Canadian Rockies International Airport (YXC) is being recognized for aviation market development, community outreach and environmental initiatives.

"This award means a lot to us here because it is one of the few in B.C. that focuses on the community of our peers," said Chernove.

He recognized the hard work of airport staff, but said it wouldn't have bee possible without cooperation from the airport's owner: the City of Cranbrook.

"Nothing is done without full support of the city, and it shows the city shares the same values we do with having a sustainable airport," said Chernove.

"I'm honoured to receive the award as the airport manager but not only is it all the staff being on board, it's also the city as the owner of the airport leading it from that side."

Mayor Wayne Stetski said the award reflects positively on the Cranbrook area as a whole.

"It portrays us in a very positive light for anybody that is looking to come to Cranbrook," said Stetski.

"I'm proud of what Tristen and the staff have done out there. They are well deserving of the award and it bodes well for all of our futures."

Chernove pointed to the airport's initiatives towards environmental, economic and community sustainability as contributing to the award.

In the environmental aspect, YXC rebuilt its terminal in 2008 with LEED standards building practices. There are solar water heater panels on the roof, the airport has an idle free zone in the drop-off lane, and its janitorial program uses green cleaning methods such as negative ion technology and UV technology. YXC was the first airport in B.C. to install water-less urinals.

"On the economic side, the focus on our nomination was around what we have done in marketing our existing service and marketing to attract a new air service," said Chernove.

"It also focuses on what we have done to increase the appeal of our airport when it comes to capital investment," he added, pointing to last year's runway overlay, and a bid to upgrade airfield infrastructure this year.

In the community, YXC recently used a food and beverage opportunity to give to the Cranbrook Food Bank, and it supported local artists through the summer by hosting performing artists twice a week.

Airport staff volunteer in the community, and make social connections through the airport's Facebook page. YXC also hosts practicum students through the BCIT airport operations program.

"Being recognized for sustainability fits with our values really well," said Chernove.

He will travel to the Silver Wings award ceremony on Thursday, October 25 at Vancouver International Airport to accept the William Templeton Award.