Samuels Field airport plans significant upgrades in near future
Jerry Rochê, chairman of the joint city-county airport board, provided the Bardstown City Council with a presentation about the airport’s future projects.
By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio
Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016, 11 p.m. — Samuels Field — the airport serving Bardstown and Nelson County — is too often one of the county’s best-kept secrets according to Bardstown-Nelson County Airport Board chairman Jere Roché.
The local airport records more than 10,000 take-offs and landings each year.
The airport — built in 1963 — has been upgraded over the years and the runway lengthened from its original 3,200 feet to its current length of 5,000 feet. Additional hangers, offices and facilities have been added over the years, including an aircraft maintenance facility and an avionics facility.
In October, the airport benefited from a state-funded $400,000 rehabilitation of the airport ramp area.
Roché told the council the local airport is one of the best small airports in the state.
He told the council that the air board is planning some major improvements as well, which include:
— a $1.5 million project to resurface the runway and replace the 40-year-old runway lights. The project will require some local funding and won’t be completed until 2017;
— construction of a privately funded 10,000 square-foot hanger;
— and construction of eight additional small hangers.
Greg Ashworth, city risk manager, discusses an application for area development funds to help with renovation work in the City of Bardstown Education Center on East Muir.
The Boston Road corridor into Bardstown from the airport lacks one important thing — a sign welcoming visitors to the community, he said. The board would be willing to donate land for construction of a welcome sign similar to the ones welcoming visitors to town on KY 245 and US31.
COBEC RENOVATION FUNDING. The Bardstown City Council approved a resolution to support its application for Area Development Funds to help renovate the remaining parts of the City of Bardstown Education Center for use by the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry.
The council previously approved spending up to $20,000 on the renovations. The $3,674.29 grant will go toward the cost of replacing flooring, which totals $9,990, according to Greg Ashworth, the city’s risk manager. The building was formerly the Old Kentucky Home Middle School on East Muir.
Once completed, the renovated area will give the St. Vincent a much larger area for its food pantry operation.
In other action, the council:
— approved a Design Review Board recommendation for a proposed 9,990 square-foot warehouse, office and showroom for Masters Supply Inc. on a lot on Glenwood Drive in the light industrial park.
— approved a 5k run on Aug. 27, 2016, as a WHAS Crusade for Children fundraiser by the Bardstown City Schools. The route will begin at the school campus and go east on Beall, south on Fourth and eventually into the Edgewood subdivision before returning to the campus on Fifth Street.
— a 5k run for the Bluegrass Christian Academy on April 23, 2016. The event will begin at Parkway Baptist Church and use Parkway Drive.
— approved revisions to the classification and compensation plan to rename some fire department positions and adding one part-time firefighter and a part-time media specialist.
NEXT UP. The council will meet next 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016, in the City Hall Annex adjacent to the rec department on Xavier Drive.
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