Reversing an earlier decision by City Administrator Kendal Francis, the Great Bend City Council Monday night approved a request from Sara Hayden to use the main hangar at the Great Bend Municipal Airport to host her wedding reception on Oct. 15, noting that such use adds another venue in the city’s arsenal to attract large events.
“If we allow it for one person, then we set a precedent and must allow it for everyone,” Francis said. He initially denied the request because the structure is not designed as a public-use venue.
The city leases that hangar to its fixed-based operator to provide a service to airport patrons, which should be the primary goal, he said. “We should not allow activities that detract from that service or in any way contribute to decreasing that level of service.”
The city’s lease the airport fixed-base operator Coulson Aviation requires the council approval for the sub-leasing the facility by Coulson, he said.
However, Hayden and her fiancee Curtis Arnberger were present to plead their case.
“There are very few venues that can accommodate a wedding with 500 people,” Hayden said. And, those that could, like the Great Bend Events Center or the Expo Complex, are booked, if not double booked.
Without this option, the would be forced to go outside the area. They don’t want to do this since it would inconvenience guests who live around here.
And, “we both have family ties here,” she said. “We have guests coming from 13 states and we are excited to show off our hometown.”
Arnberger said they will fence off the area to contain the festivities, offer security and liability insurance, and provide bathrooms. They would also have parking attendants and pay for any damage to the grassed parking areas. The airport would remain open and there would be no disruption to its operations.
Arnberger also said they have a letter of support from Coulson Aviation. They are willing to shuffle planes to other hangars if necessary.
The company also sees this as another possible revenue stream for them. Using this agreement as a model, they may block out times of the year when the building could be used.
“I am not trying to ask for special treatment here,” Hayden said. “We have no intention of being disrespectful of the facility.”
“Why don’t we think about giving this a try?” said Ward 2 Councilwoman Jolene Biggs. “I think we should look outside of the box.”
Since other city-owned facilities are being booked regularly, perhaps another option is needed, she said. Besides, the airport isn’t as busy as it has been and the chance of getting passenger service back is unlikely.
Now, outside of Airfest which takes place every three years, there isn’t a lot of demand to use the GBMA, Ward 3 Councilman Cory Urban said. He, along with most on the council, supported the idea.
But, Ward 4 Councilman Brock McPherson offered some concerns. He sits on the Airport Advisory Council and at is most recent meeting, opposed the move.
“The hangar is for storage. It is leased for that,” he said.
In the end, the council OKed the proposal, with the caveat it meets all Transportation Safety Administration and Federal Aviation Administration guidelines.
Other issues to be considered included standardized pricing and requirements, as well as making sure fair and equitable access to all city facilities is available.
