Great Falls Airport Unveils Renovations

December 21, 2003

Great Falls Airport Unveils Renovations
Great Falls Tribune, MT

ShuMea Black on Saturday strolled past the wall-length windows on the recently 
completed third floor of the Great Falls International Airport and relished 
what she considers to be the best new view in town. 

Black and her husband, Howard, also were struck by what they saw inside the 
airport, where crews earlier this month finished an $8.56 million renovation 
project. 

"I think it's beautiful," ShuMea Black said. 

Hundreds from the Great Falls area munched free hors d'oeuvres and inspected 
the airport changes during Saturday's grand opening. 

Mayor Randy Gray and Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce Director Rick Evans 
were scheduled to address the crowd, and Santa took gift requests from 
children. 

The renovation includes a laundry list of changes, bringing the airport up to 
date with some of the latest traveler conveniences, from free wireless Internet 
access to a children's playroom. 

It also includes an improved restaurant and new gift shop, coffee shop, atrium 
and skylight, plus remodeled office space, added restrooms and a banquet room. 

Mark Klemencic of Great Falls said he was "very impressed" with the comfortable 
furniture, improved parking and added terminal space. 

"It kind of looks more like an international airport should look like, really," 
he said. 

Ron and Debbie Keely of Great Falls were at the airport Saturday to see their 
daughter off to Texas. Both were enthusiastic about the renovation. 

"We were especially impressed with the woodwork," Debbie Keely said. "It's 
gorgeous. And I like the waterfall. (The change) is simple but elegant." 

Added Ron Keely, "It looks more like Great Falls, Montana, instead of big 
city." 

Montana wildlife mounts still hang on the terminal walls. But the floor is now 
covered with earth-tone carpeting. 

A waterfall flows between the escalators down to the first floor, where it 
appears to dump into a tile river mosaic. 

A massive rendition of the Lewis and Clark portage hangs on canvas above the 
escalators and stairway. 

"The thing I like about it is it's open. Everything is kind of open and airy," 
said Paul Warrick, who attended the grand opening with his wife, Elizabeth. 

The Warricks said they'd be at the airport next week to pick up their daughter 
for the holidays, but they couldn't resist an early peek at the renovation. 

The Warricks expect they'll spend more time at the airport now that the 
restaurant has been improved. 

"We've heard they have nice food," Elizabeth Warrick said. 

Upstairs in the banquet room, Airport Board Chairwoman Deb Kottel greeted 
visitors and encouraged them to enjoy the vast view of the Plains and the Rocky 
Mountain Front. 

"One of the things we wanted to do when we built up here was to make it feel 
like you were in the sky," Kottel said. "You almost have the sense like you're 
dining outside." 

"Couldn't you live up here?" Kottel asked a couple as they entered the dining 
hall. 

 
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