Open house set for new air traffic control tower

An open house for the new air traffic control tower at the Joplin Regional Airport will be held 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17. Following is the news release from the city of Joplin:

The public is invited to an Open House and Tour of the nearly-completed Air Traffic Control Tower at the Joplin Regional Airport from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, August 17.

This project provides a new, high-tech, air traffic control facility consisting of a 90’ tall tower and a 2100 sq ft. base building. The tower will house all necessary equipment and controller facilities for air traffic control and monitoring. The base building will house FAA field technicians and navigational aid equipment.

“Safety is the most important issue at the Airport and this facility will greatly enhance our ability to handle the current and future needs of air traffic in Southwest Missouri” said Airport Manager Steve Stockam. “The project is fully funded through this Federal grant and the facility will belong to the airport once completed this fall.”

As part of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) authorization in 2005 the Joplin Regional Airport received $3.5 million to replace the aging Air Traffic Control facility.

Although the tower construction is a separate project, its construction coincides with construction of the Airport Terminal Project. The Terminal is scheduled to open on September 8 with daily flights to Kansas City through Great Lakes Aviation. A Public Open House for the Terminal will be held in early September. Details will be announced soon.

For more information about the Joplin Regional Airport, call 623-0262.