New Outlaw Field Terminal Now Open

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Clarksville, TN – The Clarksville-Montgomery County Regional Airport Authority held a grand opening for the new 16,000 ft.² terminal building at Outlaw Field on Monday, July 9th, 2012. City, county and state leaders were in attendance as the new airport manager John Patterson led the ceremony that opened the newly constructed terminal building to the public.

The building is very modern but has an elegant décor, a large number of windows and high ceilings make the terminal airy with great lighting. A absolutely gorgeous Beechcraft Model 17 Staggerwing airplane dominates the ceiling on the second floor. There are two conference rooms one which seats 10 people, and another which can seat over 100; both feature top-of-the-line telecommunications technology. These rooms can be used for meetings and parties, complete with catering services. There are also four commercial spaces intended for lease.

“I would like to encourage the community groups, schools, and churches to come outa and take tours of their airport,” said Patterson.

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The airport had been rapidly growing in recent years as the community received additional attention after Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation announced their plans to build a large semiconductor facility in the community.

Among the many regular users of the airport are Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation which operates charter flights from Michigan ferrying employees and job applicants from it’s Michigan facilities to Clarksville and back again, and The Cafaro Company flies in potential tenants considering Governors Square Mall to have a look at their facility. Fort Campbell from time to time also uses Outlaw Field for training purposes. Several Veteran Service Organizations including the Veterans Airlift Command use the airfield to fly wounded warriors home to Fort Campbell.

The Airplane from the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma after transporting a wounded warrior to Outlaw Field for the Veterans Airlift Command

Two of the committed tenants include a flight school that specializes in transitioning military rotary wing pilots to commercial fixed wing aviation, as well as a rental car company which will keep rental cars at the airport. Another flight school has expressed interest in locating at the airfield as well.

Outlaw Field from the air with the old terminal in 2008

Outlaw field is a public use airport which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There are no restrictions on the use of the airport. However, pilots wishing to fly into Outlaw Field must follow the Fort Campbell Army Airfield approach procedures.

“It’s almost like a dream come true, its very surreal that the new terminal building is at last complete,” said Montgomery County Mayor Carolyn Bowers. “It’s been a long time coming, and we are so excited to finally see the terminal open to the public. Outlaw field and it’s terminal serves as a welcoming center for Clarksville-Montgomery County and the business and corporate community here. We are proud to have this beautiful terminal building which let’s people know what we are all about,” she said.

The New Terminal Building at Outlaw Field

One of the two meeting rooms at the New Terminal

The new terminal has been built to be both environmentally friendly as well as energy-efficient. Among the major features are a series of solar panels which were donated by the Hemlock semiconductor Corporation, which will allow the airport authority to sell excess electricity back to the power grid, motion sensitive lighting which will cut off lights in areas when there are no longer needed, as well as low energy usage bulbs.

“This is the first place. People will see when they come into our city via the airfield,” said former Clarksville Mayor Johnny Piper. “We wanted to ensure that people who came to our airfield left with a good positive image of our city.”

Construction on the new airport terminal was projected to take 12 months, however, due to delays and various problems which had to be overcome construction actually lasted for 18 months.

The dignitaries just before cutting the ribbon on the new terminal building

The Lobby of the New Terminal Building at Outlaw Field

The new terminal was made possible through a partnership between the airport authority, city, county, and state government. The Tennessee Department of Transportation made a series of grants to the airport, after the encouragement of our local legislative delegation, including state representatives Joe Pitts, Curtis Johnson, Philip Johnson, and John Tidwell; as well as State Sen. Tim Barnes.

“This was a great day for Clarksville Montgomery County and really, the whole region with the opening of this great facility,” said State Sen. Tim Barnes. “It represents one more March forward, and our progress towards becoming a major industrial and commercial center for this region. And it represents what can happen when our city, County and state officials work together for the good of the community.”

Airport Manager John Patterson showing off the new terminal Building

To find out more information about outlaw field visit clarksvilleairport.com. For other questions or to arrange for tours, please call 931-431-2080. The airport is located at 204 Outlaw Field Road. Serving on the Clarksville Montgomery County regional Airport Authority Chairman Dr. Ronald Whitford, Vice Chairman Jerry Clark, Secretary-Treasurer James Halford, Gary Matthews, and Charles Hand.

Clarksville can really be proud of its new terminal. You should stop by and check it out!