The Kamloops airport had already received more than $1 million from the federal Airport Capital Assistance Program to buy a new firefighting truck and snowplow/de-icing truck.

But there was nowhere to park them.

On Wednesday, Kamloops MP Cathy McLeod came up with the money to solve that problem: another ACAP cheque for $544,310 that will cover the cost of a building on the tarmac for the expensive vehicles.

"It's really about supporting the safety in these airports," she said.

Airport manager Fred Legace said the vehicles have been kept in an airport bay temporarily, which pushed the snow-clearing equipment outside.

Airport staff gave a demonstration of the Oshkosh fire truck that arrived eight months ago, shooting a spray of water to directed areas. The truck itself looks like it was crossed with a Hummer.

Legace said the truck can be operated by one person if necessary. It was hand built, not on an assembly line, which is why it took a while to get it here after the ACAP funding came through in 2011.

The snowplow truck came in fall. It has a chemical spreader on the back as well as de-icing capability.

Both vehicles are huge in beefing up safety at the airport, he said.

Legace said the ACAP fund is small, but its impact is big for regional airports.

"Reliability brings service," he said. Snow clearing and firefighting help with that reliability.

Mayor Peter Milobar said the new equipment and building symbolize the growth at the Kamloops airport. Passenger numbers have risen steadily for several years and that's what triggered these federal investments, he said.

Because Wednesday's gathering was about a new building, more so than the vehicles going into it, the requisite sod turning was done by mayor and MP.

"This is the final piece of the whole project," said Legace.