Yeager Airport's canopy building project on schedule

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Oct. 29--CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Yeager Airport Director Rick Atkinson says the airport's canopy project is on schedule.

The project is one of nearly $5 million worth of improvement projects planned for the airport.

The canopy is being built over the first lane of the passenger drop-off area in an effort to protect visitors entering the airport terminal from inclement weather.

Atkinson said Wednesday at a Central West Virginia Regional Airport Authority meeting the foundation for the canopy has been poured, and the steel used for the project is set to arrive in a month.

The canopy is supposed to be made of aluminum and glass, and has been designed to look like an airplane wing soaring through the air.

The project's completion date is set for January 2010, Atkinson said.

The airport has received one of the largest economic stimulus grants from a pot of money for airports around the country.

Yeager received a $4.97 million grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, more commonly known as the economic stimulus plan, for several projects around the terminal and parking lot.

Improvements also will include a fire sprinkler system for the entire terminal, new baggage claim equipment, interior renovations and a digital display system.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held in June and work began in July on the upgrades.

Also at Wednesday's meeting:

--Authority members approved a resolution required for participation in the Green Infrastructure Project.

As part of the project, Yeager Airport will complete wetlands and stream mitigation work in those areas disturbed by construction activities.

The funds are administered by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and are provided by the stimulus plan.

--Members approved the use of funds in the amount of $50,000 to reimburse Executive Air for improvements made to the former helicopter flight service hangar.

Upgrades will include installation of a concrete floor, improving the doors, painting the hangar and installing a small heater.

The authority's General Aviation Committee met and recommended the hangar be upgraded, instead of building a new hangar at the cost of $400,000.

The upgraded hangar will provide space for four larger aircraft, or six single-engine aircraft, Atkinson said.

--Atkinson advised holiday travelers to book their flights now.

Flights for Christmas and New Year's are going fast, he said.

He even advised those planning to travel during the spring break to start booking.

The airport authority will not meet in November. Their next meeting is scheduled for Dec. 2.

Contact writer Jessica M. Karmasek at [email protected] or 304-348-4817.