By Jeff Murphy,
February 13, 2017
WARRENSBURG, MO – A proposed infrastructure improvement project at the University
of Central Missouri Max B. Swisher Skyhaven Airport is getting closer to reality following
Board of Governors action Feb. 10. The board authorized the application for a federal
grant covering 90 percent of a nearly $7 million project that also requires a 10 percent
match from UCM.
The grant is made possible through the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Airport
Improvement Program, and UCM will apply through the Missouri Department of Transportation,
according to Tony Monetti, executive director of aviation and the Skyhaven Airport.
He noted that project components include about $2.7 million for relocation of the
existing taxiway, which also requires demolition of the existing terminal building,
and $4 million for runway rehabilitation.
Monetti noted that the existing taxiway is located about 200 feet east of the runway,
and the Airport Layout Plan recommends the new taxiway be placed about 400 feet from
the runway. The new taxiway location will meet the FAA recommended separation distance
and also enable the airport to better accommodate small corporate jet aircraft, which
will enhance Skyhaven’s ability to serve community aviation needs. Moving the taxiway,
however, also will require demolition of the existing terminal building. This facility
is currently closed, and although construction of a new terminal is not part of the
grant, proposed future plans for the airport include building a new facility with
help from private gifts.
The second component of this grant-funded airport infrastructure project entails resurfacing
runway 1/19. This is important, Monetti said, due to cracking and raveling in some
areas which, if not addressed, could potentially lead to foreign debris on the runway
surface. This is an area that MoDOT considers a priority, and is significant to the
FAA/MoDOT scoring process in determining projects to be funded.
UCM hopes to begin project design in the spring 2017 followed by construction in the
summer, if grant funding is approved. Institutional reserves would be used to cover
UCM’s share of the project.
UCM is the only public university in Missouri to own and operate a community-use airport.
Aviation programs, which attract students nationwide, are housed in the Harmon College
of Business and Professional Studies.
