$5.2 million project funded 95% by state, federal monies

By Sheila Harris [email protected]

Everything’s flying along again after a $5.2 million improvement project at the Cassville Airport.

“Ninety-five percent of the project was funded by state and federal funds, which left the City with a balance of $250,000,” said Richard Asbill, Cassville city administrator.

After its closure on April 20, the airport reopened for air traffic on Sept. 28.

“The project was completed on-schedule and on-budget,” Asbill said.

Airport improvements included replacing the asphalt on the 3,599-foot by 60-foot, east-west runway, and in the fueling area, with concrete.

“We removed all of the asphalt and base from the original runway, and replaced it with a new 8-inch base, plus 6 inches of new concrete,” Asbill said.

Earthwork was also completed for the possibility of a future runway extension to accommodate larger airplanes.

The renovation project included a new fuel system, with a 12,000-gallon capacity, and a new pilots’ lounge.

“Before we closed for construction in April, we went through about 5,000 or 6,000 gallons of aviation fuel every five or six months,” Asbill said.

Asbill said the city offers competitive prices for airplane fuel.

“We have a lot of pilots stop in who are making their way cross-country,” Asbill said. “The Cassville Airport is a convenient location for them to take a break, use the restroom, study flight plans, look at the weather ahead of them, and fuel up.”

Asbill said he’s been asked a few times why Cassville needs an airport.

“The airport is a viable part of our economic base and future vision,” Asbill said. “For one thing, it’s conducive to tourism, because of our location near Roaring River and Northwest Arkansas. Our hangars are an affordable space for pilots to keep their airplanes.”

Asbill said he’s received requests for hangar space, which he’s been unable to accommodate, from at least 14 pilots.

Asbill said the City’s hope is to construct more hangars, house more airplanes, then ask the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) for permission to expand their runway to accommodate larger airplanes.