Welcome to Kenmare

Feature Stories (Vol. 110 No. 1--1/02/2008)

Airport improvements include wider taxiway and new shop

By Caroline Downs

A broader taxiway at the Kenmare Municipal Airport has alleviated a decades-old problem.

"They originally built a small taxiway, close to the hangars," said Hank Bodmer of the Kenmare Airport Authority. He gestured at the narrow strip of pavement where pilots have maneuvered cautiously around each other for years, especially during the busy summer months of crop spraying.

Federal funds, used in conjunction with local and state money, and the blessing of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) eliminated that issue last summer. The width of the paved taxiway was more than doubled. "[Now] the guys spraying can get by each other," Bodmer said. "Because it is a safety area and affected our clear zone, [the FAA] authorized it. This makes it nice for corporate planes, too."

Bodmer praised the involvement of the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission, whose members toured the Kenmare airport with an FAA representative to see the serious nature of the problem. "The state Aeronautics Commission is by far one of the best agencies in the state," Bodmer said.

Kenmare’s Airport Authority also recently completed a project to construct a building to house the John Deere 7520 tractor purchased in 2006 and equipped for snow removal, as well as a new Prowler Encore mower. The two-stall metal-sided shop boasts an electrical heating system installed in the floor that maintains a 40-degree temperature in the building, just right for melting any snow and ice accumulated on the tractor.

"We’re really happy with it," Bodmer said as he pointed out features like the automated doors and the central floor drain for cleaning ease. The Airport Authority’s engineering firm Kadrmas, Lee & Jackson in Bismarck designed the facility, which was built by R&K Construction of Minot.

Bodmer explained that Kenmare’s taxpayers provide about $8,000 a year for the airport. Additional revenue is earned through fuel sales, monitored locally by Michelle Freeman, and hangar rentals. However, federal grants available for aviation projects have allowed the Airport Authority to make major improvements. The grants typically cover 95 percent of a project’s costs, with a 2 1/2 percent match required from both local and state funding sources.

"We don’t want to turn that money down!" Bodmer said. In 2007, the federal money amounted to $125,000 for construction of the building.

And the Airport Authority already has a list of projects for 2008. Standing in front of the new building, Bodmer pointed east toward the parking lot. "Next year, we’ll pave all this, from the garage to the parking lot," he said, "and we’ll fix those tie-downs."

Then he stopped himself. "We’ll coordinate this with the state," he said, "and it all depends on the federal budget."

The Airport Authority maintains a positive outlook, however. Bodmer was satisfied at the Ward County Highway Committee meeting held in Kenmare December 19th when county engineers agreed to work with the Airport Authority on the paving project.

Ward County will bid an asphalt overlay project in February for Ward County Road 2 east of Kenmare, to take place during the summer. The airport will plan its paving work to coincide with the county’s work, at a potential cost savings to both entities. "Our engineers will coordinate it with their engineers," said Bodmer.

Weather observation system
coming to Kenmare in 2008
Another significant change in 2008 will be the installation of an Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS). "They’re putting them in all over the state," Bodmer said, explaining that the state legislature authorized the funding during the 2007 session.

AWOS will provide altimeter settings, wind speed and direction, and sky conditions by radio to pilots. However, everyone can access the information. "Anybody can call the telephone number and get the weather in Kenmare," said Bodmer.

He described AWOS as a safety feature for the airport, specifically for air ambulance and medical evacuation services. In order for pilots to land in conditions requiring instrument flight rules (IFR), an airport must provide information from a weather observation system.

Kenmare Airport Authority members include Bodmer, Mark Gravesen, Don Gravesen, Mike Bennett, clerk Jan Kostad and alderman Boyd Brekhus. Anyone with further questions about the airport is welcome to contact these individuals.

Many local residents remain unaware of traffic at the runway east of town, but continued improvements allow the Kenmare airport to serve a growing number of pilots and travelers. Bodmer noted that increased oilfield activity in western North Dakota has led to more use of the local airport. "You’d be surprised at the number of people who fly in here!" he said.