and Perimeter Aviation, maintain regular service to Winnipeg and remote northern destinations, further reinforcing Thompson’s role as a logistical hub. That role is set to expand even further with the imminent opening of a brand-new airport terminal. “We are just months away from opening a brand-new airport terminal,” Mayor Smook says. “It has been two years in the making and represents about $120 million in investment.” The new terminal is a complete rebuild rather than a renovation, constructed on a new footprint and designed better to accommodate passengers, freight, and medical transfers. While the opening was initially planned for late summer, forest fires and construction challenges shifted the timeline to January. “This airport has been talked about for 20 years,” Mayor Smook reflects. “To see it finally come to fruition is incredibly exciting.” Notably, the terminal incorporates Indigenous reconciliation and accessibility considerations, including dedicated waiting spaces for elders and improved facilities for medical travellers and cargo operations, ensuring the airport reflects the needs and values of the communities it serves. 176 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 07, ISSUE 01
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