WESTFIELD—The city’s airport will be gaining a new tenant–one that provides emergency medical services.
Air Methods Corporation, a privately-owned helicopter company, will be building a location on 89 Sgt. Thomas Dion Way. The location will be used for emergency medical services via helicopter, according to Eric Billowitz, Barnes Regional Airport’s manager. The Westfield Barnes Airport Commission voted to OK the acceptance of the contract during yesterday’s meeting.
The control tower and a plane hangar at Barnes. (Photo credit: Dan Desrochers)
According to Billowitz the contract is a three-year deal with a one-year option available. The contract should provide the airport with just under $30,000 annually, he said.
The plan, according to Billowitz, will be for one helicopter, with operations expected to begin Sept. 1. Construction efforts will be taking place at the location to develop the property and temporary operations from the location may occur during construction, Billowitz noted.
Billowitz said that the Sgt. Thomas Dion Way location will be developed into a 3,000 square foot aircraft shelter, with a 7,700 square foot landing and parking zone for the helicopter. There will also be a location for personnel who operate the helicopter.
According to Bill Gonet, one of the commissioners for the Airport Commission, the development could help further the development of that area of the airport and can improve revenue.
