The Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport board is continuing discussions about a significant renovation to the terminal, which was built 73 years ago.
Board members on Tuesday noted that the terminal has outlasted what the Federal Aviation Association considers average life expectancy by about 20 years.
According to board member Dr. Francis DuFrayne, some structural issues with the terminal will become a problem “down the road if we don’t do something.”
He said that this could be the time to undergo a renovation, given the short-term availability of funding options.
“There are funds available for about 2-3 years that we could really take advantage of that will make paying for a large portion of this possible,” DuFrayne said.
He continued to say there will also be other funding opportunities in the future, and that the amount ultimately depends on when the board wishes to start the process.
Nonetheless, DuFrayne said they will need to move forward with a renovation eventually.
“If we do nothing, we’re probably not going to attract anything and will eventually slowly decline. If we’re really proactive, then we have at least the potential to grow and add new things first to our airport and into our communities,” DuFrayne said.
According to DuFrayne, the airport recently applied for a grant to contribute to the terminal’s renovation.
The airport could also build an entirely new terminal rather than renovate the current one.
Todd Bloch, a member of the committee looking into the options, said if a new terminal is built it would need to be done with foresight in mind.
“You really have to be thinking down the road. Many of you have been on this board for a while, and you know that FAA projects take a while to do, and if you’re not planning down the road when you need it, it’s too late to go looking for it,” said Bloch, a former Commissioner of the Department of Aviation.
The committee said will meet again in February to consider all options.
