Steamboat Springs Impressive Improvement
Yampa Valley Regional Airport

A Whole New Airport Experience

By Riley Polumbus
Reprinted from 'Boat Biz, November 2006

In less than a month, Yampa Valley Regional Airport will begin welcoming passengers with a whole new airport experience sporting a look many returning guests will hardly recognize. 

Last month YVRA celebrated its 40th birthday of commercial air service amongst dry wall, saw dust and a new slab of freshly poured asphalt.  "Gifts" arrived including three new machines for snow removal, (helpful for clearing the new apron), three new state-of-the-art baggage screen machines and enough chairs to double its existing seating capacity. 

Okay so the new machinery and dramatic construction and renovations were not birthday gifts rather they are part of the multi-year $18 million dollar improvement program that is nearing the end of its second and most exasperating phase. This phase includes doubling the size of the existing terminal and expanding the apron by three acres to accommodate larger aircraft.  Improvements and renovations are long overdue for a commercial facility that continues to grow the number of passengers each year.

There are a number of new and exciting improvements which will be in effect when passengers step off the first jets December 14th in addition to twice as many places to sit.  Technically, the chairs were a gift, purchased through contributions by the City of Craig, the Town of Hayden, the City of Steamboat Springs and the Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association.  Crews are working overtime to ready the airport for the arrival of winter flights.

What's New:
External Façade: Phase II continues on the "new look" added to the front of the building in Phase I.  Now arriving passengers will be greeted with the same architectural design, a vast aesthetic improvement from the warehouse look of years past.  The design will also continue along the front of the building where passengers arriving via ground transportation will enter the new ticketing terminal.

Passenger Pick-up and Drop-off Lane: Last year's issues with traffic flow will be improved this winter with the addition of a new lane for passenger pick-up and drop-off.  YVRA will now have two lanes, one for shuttles and the second, closest to the terminal, for private vehicles.

Curbside Check-in/Sky Cap Service: Starting in mid-January, YVRA will enhance its service to passengers by adding Sky Cap Service. Curbside check-in will be located at the west end of the new terminal building with a covered and heated facility. 

New Check-in Terminal: Also coming in mid-January, YVRA will open its new, spacious ticket lobby.  Not only will this addition feature more room for departing passengers, it also provides airport employees more elbow room for friendlier and more efficient service.

New Baggage Screening: YVRA will be the second airport in the nation of its size to receive three state-of-the-art Reveal CT 80 baggage screening machines.  The new system will provide a faster, safer, more efficient system for processing checked baggage.

Security Screening Area: Returning passengers will surely notice and appreciate that the security screening will expand from two lanes to three including an ADA approved lane.

Security System: The new system will bring airport security up to the 21st century with more cameras for monitoring public areas and key card access for employees to keep better track of movement, overall, a safer system requiring less manpower. Navigant Consulting will implement the system.
Flight Information Displays: Seven new flight information displays will be added throughout the airport providing passengers with all the necessary information.

New Gate Area: Once through the new security screening area, passengers will have more amenities, space and comfort while waiting for their plane.  More seats, windows, restrooms, food and beverage service and a new interior design will enhance the passenger's experience.

Food & Beverage: For years YVRA has provided separate food and beverage facilities on the second floor.  The newly remodeled HDN Paradise Grill combines the bar with expanded food service for a more customer friendly environment.  In addition, a new post-security snack bar, "Hot Dogs in Paradise" will be added so passengers can purchase food and beverages in the arrival gate area.

Gift Shop: This summer the gift shop has enjoyed revenues averaging winter in its temporary location in the middle of the current ticketing area.  When the new terminal opens mid-January, the gift shop will also move into its permanent location there.

Wireless Internet Access: Truly bringing YVRA into the 21st Century from the visitors' point of view, the airport will become a wireless "hot spot."

Twice the Seating: As mentioned previously, thanks to the support of surrounding communities, everyone should have a place to sit!

Double the Restroom Facilities: Last but not least, adding 23,000 square feet also means adding more restrooms for passengers.

What's New Behind the Scenes:
Expanded Apron: Three acres have been added airside which allows enough space to park planes and allow employees the proper workspace to do their job safely and efficiently. 

Snow Removal: YVRA purchased three new pieces of equipment for snow removal, a new grader for snow removal on the airside, a new Bobcat for clearing and maintaining parking and sidewalk areas and a large Loader.

Employee Break Room/Restrooms: Although not seen or used by the public, YVRA had indeed outgrown its previous facility and there was very little room for employees.  Increasing employee workspace as well as giving them a break room and employee restrooms gives workers the space they need to perform better at their jobs.

Heated Outdoor Facility for Baggage Handlers: Again, with this improved workspace, outdoor baggage handlers will now have a workspace that will keep them warm during the winter months making them more efficient at their job.

What to Expect:
"Expect to be impressed, these improvements are awesome," said Ann Copeland, manager of terminal and landside operations during a recent hardhat tour of the new facilities. While following her through the future terminal it is easy to appreciate her enthusiasm. Copeland is visibly excited for the arrival of the new monitors and seats and could not wait to show off the sky lights in the ticketing terminal and security screening area.  While there's plenty to show off from the passenger's point of view, many of the improvements also translate into a better place to work.

"Customer service is a huge priority for us," said Copeland, whose position was created to oversee the terminal and landside operations and elevate the level of service. "More room for employees to work means better efficiency and service."

Copeland also created new positions at the airport, "Red Coats" she calls them, agents who will be available throughout the airport to help passengers solve problems.

When asked what else passengers and employees can expect, Copeland admits that there will be a learning curve for those familiar with the airport to learn the new "flow" that will be involved.  Improvements to the parking, an additional lane of traffic and pedestrian traffic inside the terminal will change with the renovations.  And the new baggage system is also an adjustment that requires adaptation by airline agents.

"The baggage screening machines quite a feather in our hat," said Copeland. "But it will require a lot of work on the part of employees at first."

Also, some of the construction projects will still be ongoing as passengers arrive in December, namely the new ticketing terminal which will include the Sky Cap Service.  Passengers departing from YVRA in December through mid-January will use the existing check-in area (built during Phase I) and then proceed through the new security screening area into the new gate area.  Once the ticketing terminal is complete, the ticket counters and gift shop will be moved which is expected to happen sometime in mid-January.

What's on the Horizon:
Phase III will include renovating and expanding the baggage area into the current ticketing area.  Once the ticket counters are moved, it will become a second baggage claim area for the remainder of the ski season.  YVRA hopes to begin phase III construction in spring 2007.

After one year serving as YVRA's airport manager David Ruppel is looking at a future of business prosperity and the current projects are just the beginning.

"Current efforts will bring us up to the point where we can claim a world class facility," said Ruppel. "Next we need to look toward growing business."

First, Ruppel cited there is potential for the growth of the airport's commercial business.

"Bringing in Frontier Airlines for example, would mean more competition and better access to more parts of the country," said Ruppel.  Adding the airline would require further expansions on the airside.

Secondly, as the General Aviation industry continues to grow, YVRA is positioned to take advantage. 
"There are many interested in coming here," said Ruppel. "We are well suited to handle these areas but we need to continue to grow."

Finally, with the new enhancements and future possibilities, Ruppel sees potential for non-aviation businesses to take advantage of the airport's capabilities and locate their business close to the airport.  Attracting new businesses will create more economic diversity for the valley. 

Already, many Steamboat Springs businesses are taking greater advantage of YVRA's air service.  Over the past three years, additional seasonal service such as the summer Houston flight on Continental and the fall service on Delta to Salt Lake City has created creating more options for businesses large and small.

"The valley is finally becoming aware of the service our airport has to offer," said Copeland. "In my twenty years working here it's fulfilling to see it growing up and becoming a real airport. It's a new era in aviation."