At Tuesday night’s meeting of the Watonga City Council, one of the biggest announcements was that of more improvements at the regional airport, including a $3.5 million terminal.
The Oklahoma Aerospace and Aeronautics Commission met on May 29, and approved significant initiatives aimed at bolstering the state’s aviation and aerospace infrastructure. The commission issues fiveyear construction programs and the 2025-29 plan invests $342 million in funding at airports across the state.
The first portion of the Watonga project is to design and build a taxiway and apron area to the west of the existing structures. Those projects are funded by the Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA. The location of the improvements will require development of a portion of the old city golf course.
The second portion will be the design and build of a terminal. The commission noted the existing building as outdated, in need of repair and maintenance and lacking sufficient room and facilities to accommodate passengers, pilots and other visitors.
The build was on the plan for 2029, but according to city manager Karrie Little, there were nine projects fast-tracked for almost immediate start. Those projects, she claimed, were hand selected by Grayson Ardies, the state’s director of aeronautics.
The Aeronautics Commission is funding the entire cost of the $3.5 terminal million build. The city council took action Tuesday to renew its contract with Parkhill Engineering, the company that oversaw the construction of the improved runway the airport now enjoys.
A road to the west side improvements will be constructed by the city, but it will be paid for through the OAC funding, Little said.
The project will be subject to pass through funding, where the city pays the contractors and is reimbursed by the aeronautics commission. City treasurer Rodney Jacks noted that during the runway revamp, the funds were usually already on hand before the bills were submitted to the city.
There was no hard and fast date as to when the construction would begin.
A road to the west side improvements will be constructed by the city, but it will be paid for through the OAC funding, Little said.
The project will be subject to pass through funding, where the city pays the contractors and is reimbursed by the aeronautics commission. City treasurer Rodney Jacks noted that during the runway revamp, the funds were usually already on hand before the bills were submitted to the city.
There was no hard and fast date as to when the construction would begin.