MOSINEE, Wis. (WSAU) — Central Wisconsin Airport hosted its grand re-opening Thursday, after completion of a multi-phase construction and renovation project.
Several community leaders from Marathon and Portage counties were on hand to celebrate the end of construction and a new beginning they believe will improve safety and service for customers.
Brian J. Grefe is the new Airport Manager at Central Wisconsin Airport. Since coming on board a few months ago, he has seen the finishing touches get done to the long and expensive project. “Ten years of planning, five years of construction, and 38-million dollars. It’s time to take a break and celebrate, really, the efforts that went into this event.”
The airport staff hosted a program with various speakers, refreshments, and a few prizes.
Former Airport Manager Tony Yaron, who recently retired, was back to share in the celebration and was able to cut the ribbon for the grand re-opening. “This is a cherry on top of ten to twelve years of planning, design, working with consultants, the airport board, the owner counties, finally putting closure to this project. It’s finally wrapping up. I see landscaping going in today, and it’s going to be a beautiful facility for many years to come.”
Grefe says the improvements improve safety for the airport and its passengers since many things changed after 9-11. He says they also designed it to make the flying experience better. “We want to make Central Wisconsin Airport the easiest, most convenient, most passenger-friendly airport to fly out of.”
CWA now has additional baggage receiving space, a better flow of passengers through TSA screening, and the rental car companies are in their own building outside of the terminal.
Grefe says with the changes, it really pays to look at CWA if you need to fly, instead of driving to Milwaukee or Minneapolis. He says you often save time flying locally, and for many, time is valuable. “There’s your time, there’s getting hotel rooms, over-the-road, parking, really the focus is supporting regional air service, support regional airlines, your regional airport, and your community.”
CWA originally opened in 1969 under the joint ownership of Marathon and Portage counties. Originally, Portage and Wood counties discussed creating a regional airport, but Wood county supervisors voted it down… leading Portage county supervisors to approach Marathon county with the concept. CWA has gone from serving about 39,000 people in 1969 to as many as 130,000 people a year now.
