WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI (WSAU) — The improvements aren’t slowing down that the Wisconsin Rapids Municipal Airport.
Officials with the airport will hold a public hearing on March 7th to discuss plans for upgrades to the current fuel system at the facility along with a larger hanger and the acquisition of land for further development.
Wisconsin Rapids Mayor Zach Vruwink says the upgrades have become necessary as the facility begins to see more and more traffic due to the nearby Sand Valley Golf Resort in the summer.
“Those folks are flying from literally every state in the Union and from international territories [like] Canada and Puerto Rico. It’s very exciting that our little airport, which may be sleepy now, gets very active in the summertime,” he said.
Vruwink adds that specifically when it comes to fuel capacity, there’s been times when they have run out of jet fuel. “We can’t do that if we are going to accommodate large jets that might be expecting fuel.”
Those large jets are also occasionally looking for a place to park that’s protected from the elements, so Vruwink says a larger hanger that can accommodate some of today’s largest Gulfstream products is also part of the plan.
Other aspects include the purchase of an aircraft tug and crack seal/seal coating for pavements.
The improvements are also being made with an eye towards growing serving the growing needs of the Wisconsin Rapids business community, especially with Candian recycling firm Matalco’s recent plans for an $80 million dollar plant in the city. Vruwink says the facility also services the medical community and offers flight training options for residents.
Vruwink says the city won’t be paying for all of the improvements itself, the public hearing is part of a plan to petition for both state and federal aid to help undertake the projects. It’s also part of a revised six-year plan for the facility.
If all goes as planned the new hanger could be constructed and operational later this summer. Items like the larger fuel system could take a year or more to design, build, and bring online.
