ROANOKE TIMES 

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, June 19, 1994                   TAG: 9406190068
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: WARM SPRINGS                                LENGTH: Medium

FUNDING SOUGHT TO KEEP AIRPORT OPEN AFTER LEASE EXPIRES AUG. 31

Officials are exploring funding alternatives to keep Ingalls Field-Hot Springs Airport from closing after a lease agreement with The Homestead resort expires Aug. 31.

The Airport Authority, the governing body for the Bath County airport, needs about $180,000 to overcome the loss of the lease and keep the facility open.

State Sen. Malfourd "Bo" Trumbo, R-Fincastle, said Friday that he and Del. Creigh Deeds, D-Warm Springs, met with Homestead officials Thursday. Trumbo said an agreement may be worked out that will allow the airport to continue operations without additional funds from localities served by the airport.

Mary Sanders, spokeswoman for The Homestead, refused to comment.

"I am committed to being a part of keeping the airport open," Deeds said. "The airport is vital to the area's economic development. It benefits the entire area."

The Airport Authority, meanwhile, has formed an ad hoc committee to examine budget alternatives.

No locality has taken an official stance on the possible closing of the airport or the possibility of providing additional funding to keep it open. Airport Authority members believe The Homestead, if asked, will continue to provide some financial assistance.

"You have to understand The Homestead's position," said airport manager Mike Masellis. "At this point in time, they're just not willing to foot the entire bill. They've done it for 30 years. It's just not economically feasible."

Airport Authority members have met with representatives of the Federal Aviation Administration and the state Department of Aviation.

"We're not in the business of closing airports," said Tony Page, supervisor of the Virginia Section of the FAA. "We're in the business of building airports, developing airports."

James Bland, airport services division manager of the state aviation department, said Ingalls Field, which received its certification in 1938, is the second-oldest licensed airport in the state.

"That is a lot of years devoted to aviation," he said.

More than 7,100 passengers used Ingalls Field in 1993.

- Associated Press 


 by CNB