Shawnee Shows Off New Airport Terminal Building
The City of Shawnee got to show off its new airport terminal building in front of about 75 guests recently, including several city leaders, state legislators and other government officials.
The terminal, which replaced the much smaller terminal that was built in the 1950s, sports a more modern, two-story design, encompassing approximately 4,000 square feet of space.
Gov. Mary Fallin was one of the featured speakers during the official opening. She praised Shawnee officials for their determination in getting the project started, funded and then finally completed, while also noting the efforts of several individuals such as former Shawnee Mayor Chuck Mills.
Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission Director Victor Bird also addressed the crowd, stating that the Shawnee Regional Airport should now be able to attract even more business to the area because it was not just an airport with a jet-capable runway, but rather a jet-capable airport.
"This new facility is a far cry from what was here just one year ago. Now you have a terminal to be very proud of, one that can be a shining example to other airports throughout our state system,” Bird said.
The new terminal boasts a large lobby, pilot’s lounge, a vending machine area, office space, a large conference room space upstairs that doubles as an observation deck to watch aircraft fly in and out of the airport, and other amenities.
A $325,000 grant from the U.S. Economic Development Authority paid for a large chunk of the more than $965,000 it took to build the new terminal building. Fallin was instrumental in securing that grant for the city when she was congresswoman for the 5th district.
The Aeronautics Commission also provided a $275,000 state grant to help in the construction costs, while the City of Shawnee chipped in the remaining amount.
The state grant is just the second in Aeronautics Commission history that has gone exclusively toward construction of a new terminal building. The first such grant was approved for Durant’s Eaker Field in November 2009. The City of Durant celebrated the opening of its new 8,000-square-foot terminal building earlier this year.
During the last two years, the Shawnee Regional Airport has received nearly $8 million in state and federal grants for various runway and taxiway improvements.
The above shot shows the west side of Shawnee Regional Airport's new terminal building that faces the apron and aircraft parking areas. The airport recently celebrated the opening of the new 4,000-square-foot terminal with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Victor Bird, left, director of the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission, makes some opening remarks during the grand opening of Shawnee Regional Airport's new terminal building on August 29, 2011. Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin is seated on the front row.