b'30 ATY TERMINALSWatertown Regional Builds Old-School Charm Into New Terminal BY KRISTIN V. SHAWWatertown Regional Airport (ATY)Airport Manager in South Dakota is an importantRob Cyrus described travel gateway for the small citysthe previous terminal 22,000-plus residents and surroundingas old and dark neighbors. Without the hometown airport,and small. The new passengers would have to drive aboutterminal, he says, is far 90 minutes south to Sioux Falls Regionalmore than just a place Airport (FSD) or four hours east to much- to fly in and out of ROB CYRUSFACTS&FIGURESlarger Minneapolis-St. Paul Internationalits open, welcoming Airport (MSP).and practically buzzes with a sense of Project: New Terminal community.Location: Watertown (SD) Regional AirportPerched on a plateau, ATY has always been picturesque; but its 1950s terminal Airport Owner/Operator: City of Watertown, SD buildings were definitely showing theirPlanning and FundingTerminal Size: 2 stories; 26,000 sq. ft. age. Airport leaders had long wanted toAir service at ATY has grown steadily over Airside: 2 gates; heated, moveable boarding bridge build a new terminal and began preliminarythe last decades. The airport logged 14,655 Commercial Carrier: Denver Air Connection planning to do so a few years ago.enplanements in 2022 and now has room to accommodate more. Cyrus hopes to Project Cost: Approx. $26 million Their work came to fruition in Augustincrease enplanements to 20,000 over the Timeline: Design submitted 2018; FAA funding 2022 with the opening of a newnext few years.approved Dec. 2019; construction began 2020; ribbon 26,000-square-foot terminal building. cut Aug. 10, 2022 The changes are striking and muchTrue to its name, Watertown is situated Design & Project Manager: Mead & Hunt appreciated. Modern check-in countersnear an abundance of freshwater bodies, Architect: CO-OP Architecture in the bright, airy ticketing hall makeincluding Lake Kampeska and Pelican passengers forget the old, dated versions.Lake. The Big Sioux River bisects the city, Civil Engineering: Helms & Associates Holdrooms with large windows and highfeeding the local economy with visitors in Structural Engineer: Rise Structural Associates ceilings replaced smaller, worn-out spaces.search of tranquil fishing spots. Mechanical & Electrical Engineering: MettlerAnd the TSA checkpoint was streamlinedThe airports new terminal plays a big Sichmeller Engineering for faster service.role in attracting more visitors to the Boarding Bridge: JBT AerotechJanuary | February 2024AirportImprovement.com'