Auville discusses airport with Wood County Commission
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PARKERSBURG - The Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport is looking to the Wood County Commission for possible support to get a new roof put on one of their hangars.
Airport Manager Ben Auville appeared before the commission on Monday to give an update on things happening out at the airport in regards to flights, building maintenance and more.
Contour Airlines was recently chosen by the U.S. Department of Transportation to continue providing federally subsidized Essential Air Service for the next four years between the airport and Charlotte Douglas International Airport. This month, they started offering two flights a week to Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Their last flight to Myrtle Beach had 27 of 30 seats filled, Auville said.
"It is going really well as far as usage there," he said. "It is only running to mid-August.
"It is important to fill up those flights to show that the demand is there for more than just the flights to Charlotte."
There are around 70 aircraft at the airport, not counting what the National Guard has, Auville said. They have room for up to 100.
Auville said they are looking at repairing the roof on the maintenance building, which was constructed in the late 50s or early 60s. Some of the initial quotes from contractors were around $60,000 to $70,000. But after pricing materials, he said he believes airport personnel would be able to do it for around $15,000. He said that could open up possibilities to work on other roofs at the airport, such as Hangar 5.
Auville said there are people working at the airport who have been general contractors and he wants to be able to get some younger individuals in area vocational programs to learn from them.
"They can learn, get some experience and move on which in fine,” Auville said.
Eventually, Auville said he wants to get financial support from the county to do some of these projects at the lower cost, while utilizing the local training programs.
Commissioners told him to put a request in writing and they would discuss it. Commissioner Jimmy Colombo asked the airport to prioritize their needs in the letter they submit.
Auville said he wants to turn the old terminal building into a community center which would help get people out to the airport regularly to see what is happening out there.
"My ulterior goal is to get people up there to watch the airlines take off and all the activity happening there," he said. "We are focused on getting the community out there, getting the events out there and making the improvements that will help sustain the airport."
Officials talked about the passing of past Wood County Airport Authority President Bill Richardson Jr. on July 12 at the age of 74.
"He was a big supporter of everything up there," Auville said. "He helped a lot. He did a lot of things behind the scenes."
Officials talked about how Richardson helped make sure TSA employees were fed and taken care of during the government shutdowns and other contributions people may not have known about.
"He lived life to the fullest," Commission President Blair Couch said.
Recently, the authority named Andy Daniel as president of the authority.
The commission put Jason Blue into nomination to fill the vacancy on the authority.
Auville said Blue will be a good community representative on the authority as someone without direct ties to the airport.
"Jason brings his background as a firefighter," Auville said. "He will help keep the focus of the airport serving the whole community."
Brett Dunlap can be reached at bdunlap@newsandsentinel.com.