b'TERMINALSRKS11based Kel-Tec CNC Industries that was expected to employ up tooperations. But Q&D indicated the remaining 250 workers upon complete buildout. At the time, the companystimeline could be reduced by a full year if chief executive officer said hed only commit to the community ifthe airport would relocate all operations to a RKS would continue to press United to bump its schedule up totemporary facility. twice-daily DEN servicea change that came to fruition in earlyAfter such a long delay, getting this thing summer 2024.turned over as quickly as possible wasAir service was a really important component of thatdefinitely a key element for this project to recruitment, Brubaker notes. be successful, explains Q&D Aviation ViceLaMONTE FORGAYSSpending millions of dollars to capture hoped-for growth wasPresident LaMonte Forgays. The half-and-half approach was a difficult choice, particularly coming off the COVID-19 pandemic.really not realistic.But Brubaker believes long-term dividends are certain to follow. Q&D had been using Sprung Structures for temporary facilities In 2020, I told the airport board, We can tap our brakes juston its projects for nearly 20 years, beginning with a terminal like everyone else, or we can keep our foot on the gas pedal withrenovation at Reno International Airport (RNO) in 2008. Following the idea air travel is going to come back eventually and we needa visit to the companys corporate headquarters in Salt Lake to be ready for it. Brubaker explains. They made the decision toCity, Brubaker agreed to move everythingfrom check-in and move forward. TSA screening to baggage claim and car rentalsinto one of the companys 9,000-square-foot tensioned fabric structures located Ardurra served as master consultant for the terminal projectnear the airports parking lot.and also handled both landside and airside civil engineering, including water, sewer and stormwater conveyance.Engineers from Mead & Hunt crafted an associated layout, and the tentlike space was quickly outfitted with temporary wall panels According to Carson Rowley, a projectfrom SwiftWall to subdivide its functional areas. Construction was manager with the firms aviation team,expedited while the traffic in the temporary terminal facility never improvements at RKS werent merelyskipped a beat. speculative. He says they were necessary to meet todays operational standards, and more so, to secure customers willingness to fly locally.Salt Lake is the closest big city, and I thinkCARSON ROWLEYin the past theres been a perception that that was the better way to travel, Rowley explains. The (prior RKS) building was just doing the most with what they hada lot of Band-aid fixes to manage the situation. With the new building, all of the needs are met.MAINTENANCEA Rocky Road to Growth ManufactureIn late 2023roughly a year after construction beganwork came to a standstill when the Rock Springs-Sweetwater County Airport Board sued Sletten Construction of Wyoming after the contractor tried to increase its proposed guaranteed maximum price. Sletten reportedly threatened to halt work unless its originally bid price was increased by $7 million. The airport boardsInstallationcomplaint requested the court to force Sletten to complete the job under the originally agreed-upon terms. That legal dispute eventually delayed construction for nearly a year before it was settled in December 2024, and Sletten was terminated from the project, reported SweetwaterNOW, a Rock Springs news outlet.DESIGN | BUILDOnce that hurdle was cleared, RKS still faced an uncertain path. It had a half-completed building and no contractor. WorkingSPECIALIZING IN BAGGAGE with the FAA, Brubaker was directed to reapproach otherHANDLING SOLUTIONScompanies that had originally submitted bids. In that process,If you would like more information on ourReno-based Q&D Construction emerged to resurrect the projectproduct and services please contact us at:from a lengthy dormancy. Slettens plans had the airport remaining open within a portionPHONE:403-230-1140 | 888-328-8826 |FAX:403-293-9774of its terminal as renovations occurred around day-to-dayGSAirportConveyor.comAirportImprovement.comOctober 2025'