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Construction is underway on the KF Aerospace Centre for Excellence, and by all measures, it promises to be excellent.
The 50,000 square foot facility will include a museum, aircraft hangars, conference suites, classrooms, a cafeteria and an airfield viewing gallery.
Located directly across from the airport, the centre will also offer aerospace education, training and career development.
The building will be as dazzling to look at from the ground as it will be from the air with its design forming the outline of an aircraft.
Kelowna International Airport Director Sam Samaddar said it will be a great tribute to Kelowna's rich aviation history.
"It's building capacity for people to understand what aviation is all about," he said, "and the opportunities for the younger generation to participate."
The groundbreaking coincides with the 51st anniversary of Kelowna Flightcraft. Founder Barry Lapointe envisions a bridge between the industry's heritage and its future.
"I think there's a really good story to be told here in the Okanagan Valley," said Lapointe. "It's a legacy for aviation."
"I remember when I was a young child, my grandfather taking me to the airport," added Samaddar, "and that stimulated a huge interest for me in aviation."
The centre will be operated by a non-profit society and is expected to open in 2022.
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