New Hot Springs County Airport opens

A sizable crowd braved the wind to attend the grand opening of the Hot Springs County Airport northwest of Thermopolis. 

The celebration began Saturday at 9:30 a.m. when the first plane landed at the airport, signaling the lifting of the NOTAM (notice to airmen) and the opening of the airport to the public.

Flying in to join the celebration were Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead, U.S. Sen. John Barrasso, former Gov. Dave Freudenthal and U.S. Rep. Cynthia Lummis.

Ford Roes, quality assurance administrator with GDA Engineers, opened the ceremony by welcoming everyone and inviting Hot Springs County Commissioner Chairman Brad Basse to the podium. 

Basse spoke of starting down the path to a new airport in 2003 with the encouragement of WYDOT Aeronautics. He explained the Hot Springs County portion of the 22 million dollar project came in at around 4 percent with the FAA contributing 82 percent, WYDOT Aeronautics stepped up with 13 percent with the remaining 1 percent coming from State Loan and Investment Board funds.

"Hot Springs County has gotten the bargain of a lifetime with the promise of help through entitlement monies for maintaining this airport into the future," said Basse.

Basse thanked community members for their involvement in process.

According to Basse, Tim and Sylvia Lippincott of Aero Plus constructed a new hanger at the HSC airport along with eight T-hangers that were relocated from the Thermopolis Airport.

Basse also thanked various past FBOs from Thermopolis Airport including Gwenda Urbikit, Ray and Jocelyn Arey, Brett Crowley and Tara Chesnut along with JT Aviation.

Nate Messenger with Owl Creek Aviation is the FBO at HSC Airport. Basse praised Messenger as a skilled mechanic saying he has great potential.

On a personal note, Basse said he was honored to have served with six men over the past 13 years that have been friends, mentors, colleagues and community leaders. Karl Allen, Charlie Stump Jr., John Lumley, Dr. Frank Manning, Mike Baker and Tom Ryan served as commissioners at various times over those 13 years. 

"It was an honor to be able to name the access road to the airport after Frank - a recognized community leader long before his term as county commissioner," said Basse. Manning passed away in 2010.

Basse said in 2010 the county selected an engineering firm for design and construction as well as land acquisition. "I think the wisest decision we made in the entire project was the selection of GDA Engineers to carry us to the end," said Basse. 

Basse praised former Hot Springs County Clerk Hans Odde, referring to him as "the fourth commissioner." He explained he was not using the term in what is the traditionally derogatory manner among commissioners, but in recognition of Odde's hard work, well beyond the scope of the duties of a county clerk.

Administrative assistant Penny Herdt was also praised by Basse for her thoroughness and accuracy.

Governor Matt Mead spoke next praising locals for their grit, guts and vision.

Senator John Barrasso gave a lively speech telling the crowd "We are shaping the future of Wyoming here."

Former Governor Dave Freudenthal, who lived on Owl Creek while he was growing up in Hot Springs County, told the crowd, "I hope you view this as the beginning of a really bright future, not the end of an arduous process which inflicted a fair amount of pain around the community, but a process that having gone through it you know now that you can make a difference."

Jesse Lyman, civil engineer, Denver Airports District Office, praised the Hot Springs County Commissioners for their hard work and dedication to the project.

Jeremy Gilb is the engineering department manager with GDA Engineers and the project manager for HSC Airport.

"The HSC Commissioners have had to make numerous hard decisions throughout this process," said Gilb. He said likewise the Wyoming Aeronautics and FAA had to answer many hard questions as well. Gilb complimented all those involved for their efforts and tenacity.

Gilb told the crowd the project began Oct. 16, 2012 and is nearly complete on Nov. 7, 2015 for the grand opening.

Gilb wrapped things up by saying, "In closing, Brad and I have talked about this project nearing completion. He enlightened me it was not the end of the project. it was really the beginning of a new story and a new chapter for the airport, the community, the Big Horn Basin and the Wyoming and national aviation systems. I want to thank you for sharing the first chapter with us today,"

by Lara Love

A sizable crowd braved the wind to attend the grand opening of the Hot Springs County Airport northwest of Thermopolis. 

The celebration began Saturday at 9:30 a.m. when the first plane landed at the airport, signaling the lifting of the NOTAM (notice to airmen) and the opening of the airport to the public.

Flying in to join the celebration were Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead, U.S. Sen. John Barrasso, former Gov. Dave Freudenthal and U.S. Rep. Cynthia Lummis.

Ford Roes, quality assurance administrator with GDA Engineers, opened the ceremony by welcoming everyone and inviting Hot Springs County Commissioner Chairman Brad Basse to the podium. 

Basse spoke of starting down the path to a new airport in 2003 with the encouragement of WYDOT Aeronautics. He explained the Hot Springs County portion of the 22 million dollar project came in at around 4 percent with the FAA contributing 82 percent, WYDOT Aeronautics stepped up with 13 percent with the remaining 1 percent coming from State Loan and Investment Board funds.

"Hot Springs County has gotten the bargain of a lifetime with the promise of help through entitlement monies for maintaining this airport into the future," said Basse.

Basse thanked community members for their involvement in process.

According to Basse, Tim and Sylvia Lippincott of Aero Plus constructed a new hanger at the HSC airport along with eight T-hangers that were relocated from the Thermopolis Airport.

Basse also thanked various past FBOs from Thermopolis Airport including Gwenda Urbikit, Ray and Jocelyn Arey, Brett Crowley and Tara Chesnut along with JT Aviation.

Nate Messenger with Owl Creek Aviation is the FBO at HSC Airport. Basse praised Messenger as a skilled mechanic saying he has great potential.

On a personal note, Basse said he was honored to have served with six men over the past 13 years that have been friends, mentors, colleagues and community leaders. Karl Allen, Charlie Stump Jr., John Lumley, Dr. Frank Manning, Mike Baker and Tom Ryan served as commissioners at various times over those 13 years. 

"It was an honor to be able to name the access road to the airport after Frank - a recognized community leader long before his term as county commissioner," said Basse. Manning passed away in 2010.

Basse said in 2010 the county selected an engineering firm for design and construction as well as land acquisition. "I think the wisest decision we made in the entire project was the selection of GDA Engineers to carry us to the end," said Basse. 

Basse praised former Hot Springs County Clerk Hans Odde, referring to him as "the fourth commissioner." He explained he was not using the term in what is the traditionally derogatory manner among commissioners, but in recognition of Odde's hard work, well beyond the scope of the duties of a county clerk.

Administrative assistant Penny Herdt was also praised by Basse for her thoroughness and accuracy.

Governor Matt Mead spoke next praising locals for their grit, guts and vision.

Senator John Barrasso gave a lively speech telling the crowd "We are shaping the future of Wyoming here."

Former Governor Dave Freudenthal, who lived on Owl Creek while he was growing up in Hot Springs County, told the crowd, "I hope you view this as the beginning of a really bright future, not the end of an arduous process which inflicted a fair amount of pain around the community, but a process that having gone through it you know now that you can make a difference."

Jesse Lyman, civil engineer, Denver Airports District Office, praised the Hot Springs County Commissioners for their hard work and dedication to the project.

Jeremy Gilb is the engineering department manager with GDA Engineers and the project manager for HSC Airport.

"The HSC Commissioners have had to make numerous hard decisions throughout this process," said Gilb. He said likewise the Wyoming Aeronautics and FAA had to answer many hard questions as well. Gilb complimented all those involved for their efforts and tenacity.

Gilb told the crowd the project began Oct. 16, 2012 and is nearly complete on Nov. 7, 2015 for the grand opening.

Gilb wrapped things up by saying, "In closing, Brad and I have talked about this project nearing completion. He enlightened me it was not the end of the project. it was really the beginning of a new story and a new chapter for the airport, the community, the Big Horn Basin and the Wyoming and national aviation systems. I want to thank you for sharing the first chapter with us today,"