New 22 Million Aerospace Campus Announced at Kelowna Airport

New $22 Million Aerospace Campus Announced for Kelowna International Airport

We are observing a significant development in British Columbia’s aerospace sector with the announcement of a new training facility at Kelowna International Airport (YLW). On November 20, 2025, Okanagan College and the BPL Legacy Association confirmed plans to construct a purpose-built aerospace campus. This project represents a total estimated investment of $22 million and aims to centralize and expand aviation training in the region.

The initiative is a collaborative effort driven by a substantial financial commitment from the BPL Legacy Association, led by Barry Lapointe, the founder of KF Aerospace. The proposed 42,000-square-foot facility will be situated directly adjacent to the existing KF Centre for Excellence. This location is strategic, placing students within the operational hub of the 10th busiest airport in Canada, thereby fostering a closer connection between academic instruction and real-world industry application.

The primary objective of this expansion is to address the critical labor shortages currently affecting the aviation industry. By replacing smaller, decentralized training sites in Vernon and Kelowna, the new campus is projected to increase Okanagan College’s student intake capacity from 30 to 140 students annually by 2028. This increase represents a vital step toward sustaining the workforce requirements of the Okanagan aerospace cluster and the broader provincial sector.

Project Funding and Construction Timeline

The financial structure of this project relies heavily on private philanthropy. The BPL Legacy Association has committed a confirmed donation of $17 million toward the $22 million budget. This contribution underscores the private sector’s vested interest in securing a reliable pipeline of skilled technicians. To cover the remaining costs, Okanagan College is currently seeking approximately $5 million from various sources, including provincial and federal government bodies as well as community partners.

Construction schedules have been outlined with a start date targeted for the spring of 2026. If the project adheres to this timeline, the facility is expected to be completed by September 2027. Following the construction phase, the campus aims to reach full student capacity by 2028. Until the new site is operational, training will continue at the college’s existing facilities to ensure no disruption to current academic cohorts.

The design of the campus is intended to complement the KF Centre for Excellence, a museum and conference center that opened in 2022. By expanding this footprint, the partners aim to create a cohesive educational and industrial precinct at YLW. This proximity allows for potential synergies between the college’s curriculum and the operational needs of major employers like KF Aerospace, which currently employs over 1,000 staff in the Okanagan.

“Aviation has always been my passion. My goal has always been to inspire and prepare the next generation of aerospace professionals right here in the Okanagan. By expanding training opportunities through Okanagan College, we’re investing in people, our community, and Canada’s future in flight.”, Barry Lapointe, Founder & Chair, BPL Legacy Association.

Expanded Educational Programs and Training

The new facility will house three distinct programs designed to meet Transport Canada licensing standards. The consolidation of these programs into a single, modern campus allows for shared resources and upgraded training equipment. The first major program is the Aircraft Maintenance Engineer – Structures (AME-S) certificate. Spanning 37 weeks, this course focuses on sheet metal, composites, and structural repairs, granting graduates credit toward the Transport Canada AME “S” license.

In addition to structural training, the campus will offer the Aircraft Maintenance Engineer – Maintenance (AME-M) diploma. This 74-week program covers mechanical systems, engines, airframes, and propellers. Like the structures program, it provides graduates with credits toward the Transport Canada AME “M” license. These certifications are essential for technicians working on commercial and private aircraft, ensuring they meet strict federal safety standards.

The third pillar of the curriculum is the Aircraft Maintenance Technician program, which operates as a partnership with Northern Lights College (NLC). Under this model, students complete their first three semesters (55 weeks) at the Okanagan College campus before transferring to NLC in Dawson Creek for their final 18-week semester. This collaborative approach leverages the strengths of both institutions to provide comprehensive training across different regions of British Columbia.

Economic Impact and Industry Context

The construction of this campus comes at a time when the aerospace sector is facing a severe shortage of skilled labor. The British Columbia aerospace sector generates approximately $2.4 billion in annual revenue and comprises over 200 companies. Notably, the Okanagan region is home to 18% of these companies, forming a significant industry cluster that relies heavily on a steady influx of qualified personnel.

KF Aerospace, as Canada’s largest commercial maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) organization, has highlighted the difficulty in finding enough qualified staff to meet service demands. The expansion of training capacity at YLW is a direct response to this economic bottleneck. By quadrupling the number of available student seats, the region aims to secure its position as a hub for aerospace innovation and maintenance.

Dr. Neil Fassina, President of Okanagan College, emphasized the importance of industry-aligned education. He noted that the partnership with the KF Centre for Excellence provides students with hands-on learning opportunities that are difficult to replicate in traditional classroom settings. This alignment ensures that graduates enter the workforce with skills that are immediately applicable to the needs of local employers.

Concluding Section

The announcement of the $22 million aerospace campus at Kelowna International Airport marks a pivotal moment for vocational training in British Columbia. Through the collaboration of Okanagan College and the BPL Legacy Association, the region is set to gain a state-of-the-art facility capable of training 140 students annually. This project not only addresses immediate labor shortages but also strengthens the long-term economic stability of the local aerospace sector.

As the project moves toward its construction phase in 2026, the focus will shift to securing the remaining funding and preparing for the intake of expanded student cohorts. The successful completion of this campus will likely serve as a model for how private-public partnerships can effectively bridge the gap between educational output and industrial demand.

FAQ

Question: When will the new aerospace campus open?
Answer: Construction is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2026, with completion expected by September 2027. The campus is projected to reach full capacity by 2028.

Question: How is the project being funded?
Answer: The project has a total budget of $22 million. The BPL Legacy Association has donated $17 million, and Okanagan College is currently seeking the remaining $5 million from government and community partners.

Question: What programs will be offered at the new facility?
Answer: The campus will offer training for Aircraft Maintenance Engineer – Structures (AME-S), Aircraft Maintenance Engineer – Maintenance (AME-M), and an Aircraft Maintenance Technician partnership program with Northern Lights College.

Sources

• KamloopsBCNow