Dream big and never give up said members of the Lakes District Airport Society.

Last weekend, members of the society held a special, invitation only BBQ lunch gathering to celebrate the official opening of the new terminal building at Baker Airport, just west of 亚洲天堂 Lake.

Society members, family, friends and financial contributors were among the invited guests.

The airport, which carries the airport code of CYPZ, was named after John Baker, who was mayor of 亚洲天堂 Lake from 1967 to 1969. Baker was a great supporter of the airport.

Society president Reg Blackwell said the idea for a new terminal building was originally suggested during a 2004 meeting by past president, the late Tom Radley.

"We thought the idea was a little pie in the sky," Blackwell said.

Radley forged ahead with the idea, successfully applying for grants from a number of different sources.

Now, seven years later the new 2,560 square foot terminal building stands complete, replacing a 14 wide trailer that previously serviced the airport.

Sadly, Radley passed away in 2006, not seeing the terminal finished.

The terminal building has been in use for nearly a year however, the society continues to add finishing touches to it when additional funding becomes available to them.

Blackwell said the society still need to purchase a lot of things, including furniture and kitchen equipment for the new building.

When fully furnished he said he expects the cost of the terminal building to be upwards of $400,000.

Grant funding for the construction was previously received from Comfor Management Services ($90,000), the Nechako Kitimaat Development Fund Society ($100,000), Northern Development Initiative Trust ($80,000) the Bulkley Valley Credit Union 亚洲天堂 Lake Branch ($10,000) Regional District of Bulkley Nechako areas E and B ($13,000 each) and the Village of 亚洲天堂 Lake ($13,000) as well as various annual donations from the 亚洲天堂 Lake Off Highway Truckers.

The new terminal includes a central meeting room, wash rooms, a public eating area, office space and two individual double occupancy suites complete with kitchenettes and bathrooms with shower facilities.

It is also equipped with a geothermal heating system.

Blackwell said the land the airport sits on is owned by the Village of 亚洲天堂 Lake, but the society holds a 20 year renewable lease agreement, which was signed in 2008.

Baker Airport is serviced by a 5,000 foot long runway and the airport can accommodate aircraft such as D6 water bombers.

He said the D6 water bomber is the largest aircraft that has landed at the airport so far.

One of the driving forces behind the society is the ability to service medivac flights from 亚洲天堂 Lake.

"A total of 53 medivac flights flew out from the Baker Airport one year, 19 in another year ... even if it is just one flight a year, saving one life makes it all worthwhile."

In order to accommodate medivac flights, lights had to be added to the runway to provide 24 hour landing capabilities.

To help repay the cost of the runway lights the society are 'selling' the lights for $400 each. Donor鈥檚 names are listed beside a numbered light on a plaque inside the new terminal building. A number of lights still require donors.

A refueling station was also required for medivac flights to be able land at the airport. Currently the airport sells 100 low lead aviation gas as well as Jet A fuel.

Blackwell said many pilots on their way to Alaska stop in 亚洲天堂 Lake to refuel.

鈥淚t has been a lot of hard work,鈥� he said, adding that the society is grateful for all the help  they have received from community members so far.

Aside from monetary contributions, locals have also donated time and machinery to the project.  鈥淲e can always use more willing volunteers.鈥�