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Brainerd Lakes Regional
Airport Terminal Grand Opening
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The Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport Commission
will be hosting a Grand Opening on Tuesday, Feb.
14, from 4:30 pm – 6 pm at the Airport to
celebrate the completion of the terminal
construction project. This special event will
take place in conjunction with the Brainerd
Lakes Chamber's monthly Business After Hours
event, and include a special ribbon-cutting
ceremony at 5 pm.
TimberMist will be providing a variety of great
appetizers, and a cash bar will be available.
This community celebration is free and open to
the public, but RSVPs are encouraged. Please
register with the Chamber at
hholm@explorebrainerdlakes.com call (218)
829-2838.
Tours of the terminal will be available.
Highlights of the renovations include:
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- additional space in the secure passenger
waiting area — including a new bathroom
- new secure and private baggage screening
area
- expanded bathrooms that are in
compliance with the requirements of the
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
- terminal-wide sprinkler system and
internal video and public address system
- adaptation of the building to connect
with a jet bridge, allowing easier boarding
access for passengers.
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A non-secure waiting area with
a view of the landing area continues to be
available for family and friends of departing or
arriving passengers, but now offers more
comfortable seats. Many of these terminal needs
were driven by security measures required after
September 11, 2001.
This grand opening event also offers an
opportunity to learn more about recent runway
expansions and how all of these airport
enhancements are positioning the airport for the
future. Preliminary results of a recent air
traveler’s survey by the Minnesota Department of
Transportation Office of Aeronautics will also
be presented.
“We’re excited about the changes happening at
the airport,” said Interim Airport Manager Rick
Adair. “This airport and air service coordinated
out of this facility is a tremendous asset to
the region and future economic growth.”
Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc was the consulting
engineer for this $6.4 million dollar terminal
project that renovated the 30-year old facility.
More than 34-sub-contractors were utilized for
this project, involving 160 employees. Funding
for this project came from state and federal
airport transportation sources, created from
ticket taxes, as well as jet fuel and other
related taxes. The airport is owned by Crow Wing
County and the City of Brainerd.
In addition to the terminal project, other
ongoing construction projects at the airport
include remodeling efforts in the maintenance
building and the general aviation building, as
well as Runway 12/30 abandonment.
Delta Airlines operates several flights daily in
and out of Brainerd. U.S. Department of
Transportation recently awarded the Essential
Air Service (ESA) subsidy to Great Lakes
Airlines. Delta will continue to serve the
Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport until Great
Lakes Airlines is established at the airport.
The transition is expected to be seamless and
not disrupt any air service. In addition to
commercial traffic, general aviation including
corporate, private, medical, military and cargo
flights continue to utilize the airport as a
vital transportation hub for the region.
For more information about the Brainerd Lakes
Regional Airport, contact Rick Adair at 825-2166
or info@BrainerdAirport.com.
Read related stories
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Tour of remodeled airport conducted for
potential decorators (photos & video),
Brainerd Dispatch, Jan. 18, 2012
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Brainerd airport receives $313,486 for
abandoning runway, Brainerd Dispatch, Sept.
16, 2011
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Airport renovation plans may take off,
Brainerd Dispatch, July 29, 2010
Airport Terminal Remodel Photos
Photos of process from Brainerd Dispatch
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