Oklahoma state aviation and airport officials held a groundbreaking ceremony launching several much-anticipated improvements at South Grand Lake Regional Airport (1K8). On the slate for upgrades at the general and business aviation facility are a new terminal to accommodate the growing number of passengers, pilots, and other airport visitors; an additional hangar; and a parallel taxiway serving the north/south runway.
The first phase of the improvement plan includes constructing a 3,800-sq-ft terminal with updated facilities and comfortable amenities. The new 12,000-sq-ft hangar is part of an effort to increase revenue-generating aircraft storage facilities.
The projects, part of a multi-phase effort over the next five years to upgrade the airport, are funded by the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics, the FAA, and the airport sponsor. The total cost for all three projects is approximately $12.3 million.
Over the last two decades, 1K8's footprint has more than doubled to 125 acres. It includes a 4,700-foot runway with instrument approaches, automated weather reporting, an approach lighting system, self-fueling, and 18 hangars. Future phases in the airport master plan include relocating the county road to allow more usable runway surface and installing a new runway lighting system.