Dignitaries Turn Out To Celebrate $2.6 Million Airport Project

    The City of Umatilla formally opened its new airport terminal building on Monday, November 20. The city welcomed local and state elected officials, as well as representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration and Florida Department of Transportation, and local pilots in celebrating the opening of the roughly 3,000 square foot, $2.6 million facility.
   The building, described as a fixed base operator building, will replace a smaller, decades-old building at the city's airport. Featuring offices, lounge space, and a kitchen, the building includes a large wrap-around porch and sits near the middle of the airport property.
   “The Umatilla airport has come a long way,” said Umatilla City Manager Scott Blankenship on Monday, describing the broad partnerships that have allowed the city to expand its airport facility while upgrading amenities and offerings to the aviation community.
   Among the dignitaries on hand were state senator Dennis Baxley, as well as state representatives Keith Truenow and Taylor Yarkosky. Lake County Commissioners Leslie Campione, Kirby Smith, and Sean Parks were on hand, as was Lake County Property Appraiser Carey Baker. Along with officials from the FAA and FDOT, the group represented much of the broad partnership that has allowed the airport to grow, and to fully fund the new building without any City of Umatilla funds.
   “The FDOT has been phenomenal,” Blankenship said, voicing appreciation to the agency that funds the majority of new projects at the airport. Blankenship cited research data that indicated the airport now brings roughly $30 million of economic impact to the Umatilla area each year.
   "I thank everyone for their time and effort," said Truenow. "I'm proud to be a part of it."
   Baxley, speaking broadly on the importance of vibrant small towns, cited the airport as an important part of Umatilla’s future.
   "An airport like this is a showplace."
   Lake County Commission Chair Kirby Smith, commenting on the many youth programs that are based at the airport, which include quarterly free flights for children and high school projects that currently include the building of a plane, said the Umatilla airport is serving an important niche in securing the future of general aviation.
   “It’s very important what Umatilla is doing for young pilots.”
   That sentiment was echoed by Baker, whose daughter, Reagan, was in attendance and who recently gained her pilot's license after having her first flight during one of the airport's special events.
   Campione, who once served as Umatilla City Attorney and whose commission district currently includes Umatilla, reminisced about how far the airport has come in the last two decades.
   “I’m proud of Umatilla. I love the history of the airport, it’s a central part of Umatilla.”
   Indeed, the growth of the airport wasn’t lost on town native and local pilot Michael Alger, who was in attendance on Monday. Alger reflected on being a child in Umatilla and the airport being so infrequently used that he was able to ride his bicycle on the airstrip.
   “It’s come a long way,” he said.
   Umatilla Mayor Kent Adcock summed up the city’s appreciation for the many partners who have helped update and expand the airport.
   “There are two things that make communities - relationships and vision. We thank you for being a part of that.”