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Westover celebrates renovations

By Paula Canning

Staff Writer



CHICOPEE A kick-off ceremony at the Westover Metropolitan Airport last Friday celebrated the start a $2 million improvement project to Hangar # 11 and its adjacent apron, the first of 13 buildings to undergo renovation at the airport.

"The rehabilitation will improve what's already an excellent corporate airfleet business location," said Charlie D'Amour, chairman of the Westover Metropolitan Development Corporation's board of directors. "The improvements will add to the attractiveness of the site and greatly increase the potential for aviation leases."

According to Michael Bolton, director of civil aviation of the airport, the major improvements to the 30,286 square foot structure include removing the metal siding and "roof skin," cleaning and repairing floor cracks, installing infrared gas heat, installing new electrical service and hi-bay lighting, and providing a new gas service, among other improvements.

The 48-year-old former military aircraft shelter is one of 13 hangers constructed between 1957 and 1958, Bolton said.

Calling the improvements a "milestone for Westover," Allan Blair, president/CEO of the Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts (EDC) said that the airport received $1.1 million from the state's Mass Aeronautics Commission (MAC) and $450,00 from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to fund the improvements.

"We want to thank all of our partners for help in bringing this project to fruition," Blair said. "It's an exciting prospect to have this type of facility to market."

Among those that Blair offered his appreciation to was state officials, local officials, including Mayor Richard Goyette, and the FAA.

Kevin Kennedy, who represented Congressman Richard Neal (D- M) at the event, said that the project demonstrates a "terrific cooperation between different levels of government."

He said that as the project will made the facility more attractive to potential aviation leases, it is "critical to the economic needs of the region."

John Cogliano, secretary of the Executive Office of Transportation, agreed with Kennedy.

"This represents an opportunity for uses that will generate many high paying jobs," he said, adding that the project reflects Governor Mitt Romney's commitment to multimodalism and his long-term transportation plan.

"We are very excited to continue making investments in western Massachusetts," he said.

Senator Michael Knapik (R-Westfield) , who also spoke at the event, said that often times, constituents will ask what lawmakers are doing to create more employment opportunities.

"This is what we're doing to create jobs," Knapik said of the improvement project.

"This represents a great investment for the future, not just for Chicopee, but for the entire pioneer valley," he said.

According to State Representative Joseph Wagner (D-Chicopee) , the improvement projects marks the fruition of a longtime dream and vision, and is the result of a "lot of partnerships."

Wagner praised Knapik for "really taking the lead on this," the efforts of Neal, and also said that the "FAA has been a terrific partner in helping us to make this a success."

According to Bolton, the construction is expected to be completed by June of 2006.