PhreeZone 20 #1 June 5, 2006 http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060603/NEWS/606030338/1134 Lake Wales Airport Still Operates In Flux By Bill Bair The Ledger LAKE WALES -- Almost two years after Hurricane Charley destroyed the Lake Wales Airport, the facility and the World Skydiving Center continue to operate from five modular buildings. That should change by April, which is the new target date for completion of airport repairs, including the main hangar, offices, restaurant and pilot center, according to city officials. Betty Hill, the former fixed base operator who is now a consultant for FBO Paul Fayard, said the delays in making repairs have hurt operations. Hill said delaying completion until April means the airport will see reduced income from the loss of another skydiving season, which is the main source of income at the city-owned facility. "That hurts," Hill said. Hurricane Charley left the airport in rubble, including T hangars and the main 24,000-squarefoot hangar and office building. At the time, officials estimated damage at $2.5 million, but the cost of replacing the facility is now expected to be far higher. However, money is not the issue. Sandra Davis, the city's human resources director who handled collection of insurance for damage caused by hurricanes Charley, Frances and Jeanne in 2004, said $2.6 million of the $8 million the city collected in insurance was for the airport. In addition, the Federal Emergency Management Agency awarded the city a $327,000 grant for airport repairs. The city last year received $1.5 million in federal Community Development Block Grant funds for airport repairs, and the Florida Legislature this year awarded the city $3 million to rebuild the facility. Public Works Director Teresa Allen said actual cost of reconstruction will not be known until design work is completed. Allen said design work and permitting have delayed the project. Because buildings were destroyed, "it has been like starting new," with permits required from the Federal Aviation Administration, the Department of Environmental Protection and the Southwest Florida Water Management District. At the same time, Allen concedes that work on repairing the airport was not the highest priority in the months after hurricanes hit the area in 2004. "We had to concentrate more on the immediate needs -- the Police Department, administration building and Fire Department," Allen said. "We had to get those up and running." All three buildings sustained extensive roof damage during the storms. Hill said things are starting to change, with one new corporate T hangar nearing completion. She said the skydiving center will temporarily use that hangar to pack parachutes, vacating one of the last hangars remaining from the original airport. That hangar is scheduled to be demolished. Work is expected to begin by July on a second corporate hangar and two sets of eight T hangars. Those will take 60 days to 90 days to complete. But the main hangar and office facility are still being designed and permitted, with completion expected by April. "We're in the slow-wait mode," Hill said.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
