Civil Air Patrol takes over airport terminal

BROOKINGS – The Brookings Airport Terminal has a tenant – and an appropriate one at that.

Last month, the Brookings City Council approved a 2 1/2-year lease of the vacant terminal to the Civil Air Patrol (CAP).

The Civil Air Patrol is a nonprofit aviation group that had been renting space for its offices and meetings in the Pheasant Fury Building.

That building was recently purchased by the South Dakota State University aviation program, and there is no longer space for the CAP.

The City of Brookings owns the Airport Terminal building, which has been vacant since the city lost its commercial air service. It was a logical choice as a new home for the CAP.

The local aviators got the lease from the city – approximately 1,040 square feet – for $156 a month, with a 3 percent escalator in 2013 and again in 2014.

Although it’s a bargain rate, the city manager told the council that the price is similar to what other South Dakota airports are charging nonprofit agencies.

The city will cover half the cost of utilities, since part of the building will continue to house Federal Aviation Administration equipment.

The South Dakota Wing of the Civil Air Patrol, a U.S. Air Force auxiliary, is comprised of about 200 senior members and about 120 youth cadets. All are volunteers who contribute their time and services to the organization.

The Big Sioux Composite Squadron in Brookings is one of 10 squadrons in the South Dakota Wing. The group meets locally at 7 p.m. every Thursday.