ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, July 30, 1996 TAG: 9607300022
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: DUBLIN
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
A second airport in the New River Valley is getting a new terminal and pondering a regional approach to air service in Southwest Virginia.
Foundations are being laid for an $800,000, 4,000-square-foot terminal at the New River Valley Airport, with completion expected as early as March. Shelor Inc. of Dublin is the contractor. A cornerstone-laying ceremony is scheduled for Aug. 19 at the Dublin airport.
Funding for the project is coming from the state, except for 10 percent from federal sources. The localities operating the airport - the counties of Pulaski, Montgomery and Giles, city of Radford and towns of Pulaski, Dublin and Christiansburg - have not had to provide any of the money.
The new building will replace the 2,500-square-foot terminal which has been in use since the airport opened in the early 1960s. Airport Commission Chairman Nick Glenn said it would have a modern look like that of the new terminal at the Virginia Tech Airport at Blacksburg.
The idea was to make the building look dynamic enough to give industrial users of the Dublin airport the idea that this is a progressive region, Glenn said. "Which means we've got to clean up the rest of the airport, too," he said.
Tech's $1.7 million replacement terminal was completed earlier this year. Since then, university officials have announced plans for an economic analysis to gauge the impact of the two airports in the valley.
The university is looking for methods of funding to support both airports, Glenn said, which could lead to a regional management concept.
One airport might not be able to justify a full-time manager or mechanic on duty, but several airports might afford a roving manager and first-class mechanic.
Glenn suggested that the Mountain Empire Airport near the Wythe-Smyth county line, the Twin Counties Airport near Galax, and even a relatively new airport in Tazewell County might be considered for participation in a regional setup.
"I hope it works out," Glenn said. The New River Valley Airport Authority is willing to negotiate along these lines, he said. "I think we're all on the same wave-length."
He said a regional concept would be more efficient, save money and look better to state and federal airport funding sources.
Both the Tech and New River airports have also improved runways and other facilities in recent years. New River now has a 6,250-foot-long runway capable of serving aircraft up to 32,000 pounds.
LENGTH: Medium: 52 linesby CNB