With new widened runway, Bentonville’s Thaden Field set to take off again

Aug 27, 2023

BENTONVILLE -- The Bentonville Municipal Airport/Thaden Field is scheduled to open by Friday.

The airport has been closed since May 1 for a project to widen the runway from 65 to 75 feet. The 140-acre airport is at 2500 S.W. Aviation Drive. Summit Aviation is the fixed-based operator.

Debbie Griffin, city director of administration, said the airport is on target to open Friday, if not a day or two earlier.

Runway paving is complete, Griffin said.

"Things have definitely been slow, but our staff has spent time sharpening our tools for when we open back up," said Will Gunselman, Summit manager. "Lots of cleanup projects have been completed, as well as cross-training between departments. As far as the construction crew, they've been great. Worked efficiently and have had great weekly communication regarding progress."

The city council in April approved a work order with Garver Engineering for the widening project. According to council documents, the cost wasn't to exceed $425,800 and is paid for through a Federal Aviation Administration grant.

According to council documents, other improvements include renovating the runway edge lighting circuit and installing precision approach path indicators and identifier lights for both runway ends.

The total project cost about $4.1 million, paid through federal and state grants, said Griffin, the airport manager.

According to the city, a night closing will happen for another 30 days following the widening project to finish electrical work.

Griffin said that wouldn't be a problem with airport operations because not many planes land at night.

The retail space, club lounge, and Louise restaurant at the 22,000-square-foot Thaden Fieldhouse remained open during the runway work.

The lack of fuel sales during the closing has been the most significant impact on the city and the fixed-based operator, Griffin said. She said the city receives 10 cents per gallon sold and averages around $2,000 a month from that revenue.

"The other impact is from those flying into Bentonville that will shop and dine in the community. However, the uptick of other spring and summer events in the city will offset," she said. "Louise has remained open, so we have still seen traffic to the restaurant at the airport. We feel confident the revenue will pick up as the summer months are the highest in travel and recreation use at the airport. The widening was needed for the future growth of the airport, and that will far outweigh the short time frame we have had to close for construction."

The flight school and club planes moved to the Rogers airport during the closing, Gunselman said.

"We are ready to hear the bustling radio and feel the airport alive again," Gunselman said. "Our team doesn't like slow days, and I doubt we'll see slow days again after the runway opening."

The lighted asphalt runway was extended by 500 feet to 5,000 feet late last year. The longer runway allows for larger planes to land and take off. Griffin said the money came from Blue Crane, the real-estate arm of Runway Group. Runway Group is a holding company headquartered in Bentonville and backed by Steuart and Tom Walton.

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Print Headline: Thaden Field set to open Friday

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