WATCH: What mass timber will mean for YLW?

• Mass timber highly coveted for expansion
• Looks to help fill and create jobs
• More environmentally friendly than concrete

The expansion of Kelowna International Airport will be done using wood rather than concrete, a move the provincial government said would also bolster the region’s forest industry.

The upgrades will happen as part of the province’s Mass Timber Demonstration Program.

The Airport Terminal Building Expansion project is expected to break ground in 2023, and will allow for more weekly flights and increased passenger capacity, while improving passenger experience.

YLW will receive $500,000 from the province to help with costs associated with the use of mass timber.

“Mass timber is a game changer. The use of prefabricated mass timber panels will cut construction time and help the airport to continue to grow,” said Ravi Kahlon B.C. Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation at the announcement Monday. “I think it’s important to use places like this to be able to showcase visitors from around the world to not only see the beauty of Kelowna but see the innovation.”

He added the use of the timber will match or exceed the structural performance of concrete and steel while reducing carbon emissions by 45 per cent.

“We’re seeing now projects are being completed much faster using mass timber because they’re pre-fabricated off site…,less disruption to local businesses because there’s less construction coming in and less noise disruption to local residents,” Kahlon said.

The government said its Mass Timber Action Plan is not only designed to meet the growing demand for mass timber buildings, but also boost the sector’s skills training though trade programs at post-secondary schools to help fill job demand.

“We’re going to have to continue aggressively investing in skills training so that young people in particular have the skills for the changing economy,” Kahlon said. “It also means we’re going to have to invest in our existing work force, because through climate change, changes in technology, we’re seeing a lot of disruption and we’re going to have to welcome more people to British Columbia.”

Another positive to using mass timber rather than concrete for the airport expansion is it allows for ongoing flexibility and future reconfigurations by including spacious column-free zones within the terminal's interior space.

Airport director Sam Samaddar said they want to create a timeless and welcoming environment to those leaving and visiting the Okanagan, but also follow responsibilities to be environmentally friendly.

“As an aviation community we have a responsibility on the environment. At this airport we’re trying to reduce our environmental footprint out to be carbon neutral by 2030. This helps us but using local B.C. products, it helps reduce that carbon footprint,” he said.

The complete Kelowna International Airport expansion project is expected to be open to travelers in 2026.