Airport Debuts New And Expanded 5,200-Foot Runway

The South Grand Lake Regional Airport (SGLRA) in Ketchum, OK, hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, April 9, in honor of the airport's new and expanded 5,200-foot runway.

The $4.58 million project began construction in 2019 and consisted of widening the runway from 60 ft to 75 ft, a new asphalt runway surface, and the installation visual guidance systems and LED runway edge lights. The project, included in the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission's Five-Year Airport Construction Program, provides better safety to the users of the airport while continuing to improve the economic impact for the greater Grand Lake Area.

Those who attended the ribbon cutting received a first-class ticket to the unveiling of the future of both the South Grand Lake Regional Airport and the Ketchum community. In addition to the ribbon cutting, attendees enjoyed a flyover performance by several vintage warbird military aircraft and heard from dignitaries including Sen. James Inhofe, Speaker Charles McCall, Secretary of Transportation Tim Gatz, Secretary of Commerce Scott Mueller, Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, Rep. Rusty Cornwell and State Director of Aeronautics Grayson Ardies.

"I have been flying into the South Grand Lake Regional Airport for years and I am thrilled to celebrate this momentous occasion alongside the Grand Lake community," U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe said. "Businesses, governmental agencies and recreational flyers all utilize this airport-from the Grand River Dam Authority, DSA Aviation, K & D Aviation to the Grand Aces Organization. Oklahoma's thriving aviation and aerospace industries are not done growing yet and I am excited to see this newly refinished runway as part of a larger growth opportunity for new businesses and economic growth in Oklahoma."

In 2004, nine volunteers formed a public trust to develop 54 acres of grassland into what has now become a 105-acre jet-capable regional airport with almost 20 based aircraft serving the Grand Lake Area.

FMI: oac.ok.gov