Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Upgrades At Lowe Field Are Continuing

Instead of talking about the upcoming Forest Festival Air Exposition, Mary Burns told of improvements at Lowe Field.

Burns, a member of the Gurdon Airport Commission, was the featured speaker at the monthly meeting of the Clark County Industrial Council (CCIC) recently. While she touched on the expo, telling the CCIC board what is expected, Burns told why and how the expo came about in the first place.

The primary reason for the festivities will be to help raise money for improvements at Lowe Field. This, she said, is being done in four phases.

The initial phase saw the land cleared and the site excavated so it would be within Federal Aviation Administration parameters. This included a detailed drawing by the engineering firm of Garver and Garver.

She informed the CCIC the work is being done with 75-25 matching grants. At this time, most of the match from the commission has been in the form of in-kind labor.

In phase II, Burns said, the commission has cut a new drainage ditch under the runway for the north side of the airport. In addition, dirtwork has been done with base gravel being packed to help widen the runway from 30 to 60 feet.

So far the second phase looks like it will be $10,000 under budget, which will help with the financing of phase III.

Burns said the paperwork for grants on the third segment is being done at this time. She said the commission is about halfway to its goal with in-kind work on this section, which includes finishing the graveling and laying a two-inch asphalt base over the new portion of the runway.

When all is said and done, she said, Lowe Field will have a 60 by 4600 foot runway paved with four inches of asphalt, along with new lighting and a Global Positioning System (GPS) to enhance navigation.

Other projects planned for Lowe Field include applying for a grant to construct a new hangar as well as a pilot's lounge.

"We're working to move into the future," she said. "The FAA wants us to be successful with this project. All we have to do is ask, and they are willing to help. They're easy to work with."

The current project could be finished as soon as mid-summer 1997.

Burns informed the CCIC the airport commission has a total of about 100 acres which could be used for industrial expansion as well.

This property, she said, would be perfect for airport-related industries, such as small shipping firms and freight. This is one of the reasons a new hangar and a pilot's lounge are needed.

"Our goal," Burns said of the city government and commission, "is to work with the CCIC; to find out where we need to go with our planning of sites and what industries would be most suitable for the area.

"Now is the perfect time because there's nothing there."

Burns said a spec building could be constructed on the property at some point in the future as well.

"The city (of Gurdon) and commission are confident of this project," she said. "Gurdon and Clark County are growing rapidly. Thanks to groups such as the CCIC and people like Flave Carpenter, Rick Smith, Brown Hardman and Grady Runyan."

Questions were raised about the location having city water and sewer available. The group was informed both are nearby and could easily be connected to sites at the airport.

Burns also touted the expo somewhat. She reminded the CCIC members it will be held Oct. 26-27, with a full scale fly-in on Saturday, Oct. 26.

The events, aside from static displays, will all be held Sunday afternoon from 1-5 p.m.

The festivities include parachute jumping teams, radio controlled group demonstrations, rides in the Arkla Gas Co. balloon, a motor- powered glider and maybe a helicopter.

Aerobatic acts will last about two hours, she said, with several on tap.

Tickets will be $2 at the gate for adults.