Grand Opening Marks Major Improvements at C29

By ANN Correspondent Rose Dorcey

The City of Middleton, Wisconsin had good reason to celebrate over the weekend. Middleton now has a modern airport facility that will serve the community well into the future, due to the vision and forward thinking of key citizens who worked together to overcome myriad obstacles.

At a hangar dance and dinner held Saturday evening, July 9th, airport manager Rich Morey thanked his dedicated staff for their support; and city planner Mark Opitz for being a supporter of the airport from the beginning. Surrounded by his wife, Sharon and son, James, Rich recognized his father, Field Morey, by saying, "The real reason the airport is still here is because of my father, Field Morey." (Rich and Sharon, Below)

Indeed, it was Field Morey who sold the private airport property to the City of Middleton, when he could have accepted $100,000 more from a developer. It was Field Morey who became a second-generation Morey airport manager when he accepted the reins of the operation started by his father, Howard, nearly 60-years earlier.

It was Field who believed in the continued need for a west-side Madison (WI) airport, and believed enough in his son, Rich, to hand over the business to him on the day of Rich's 45th birthday.

But with great modesty, Field Morey, now a resident of the State of Oregon; gives credit to several local individuals for the accomplishments made; accomplishments that include the realignment of a 4,000 paved runway along with a paved taxiway, improved airport lighting, a new terminal building and maintenance hangar, and several dozen private hangars.

Morey thanked Middleton's former mayor, Dan Ramsey. "He's the reason the airport is here today," said Field. He also thanked Diane Ballweg, president of the Friends of Morey Airport support group, "for her doggedness" in seeing the project through. (Field with daughter Deb and granddaughter Deedee below)

While Field is proud of the modern new facility and in seeing the family business prosper, it is not without a bit of melancholy. "As I was driving down Airport Road," said Field, "I missed seeing the old hangar buildings [now demolished] that I saw here for years and years, but what I really miss most are the people."

Nearly 150 friends, airport neighbors and supporters came to celebrate with the Morey family on Saturday evening in the beautifully decorated hangar. On Sunday morning over 600 came for the "fly-in, drive-in, walk-in" pancake breakfast, sponsored by the local Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Morey Chapter #1389.

Pilots from throughout Wisconsin and Illinois navigated to Middleton to see the new facility. Local pilots opened their hangar doors and displayed their airplanes throughout the weekend. The University of Wisconsin Med-Flight helicopter, temporarily based at Middleton, was also on display. The City of Middleton Fire and Police Departments brought their emergency vehicles for close-up inspections. The exhibits were a big hit with airport visitors of all ages.

Middleton Mayor Doug Zwank came out for pancakes, eggs and sausage, and was delighted with the "fabulous turnout." Looking back at the airport project, Zwank said he saw great cooperation from a large group of people, while admitting there were conflicts along the way. (Mayor Zwank and Mark Optiz shown below)

"We have a beautiful terminal. We had some challenges, but this [the airport] is a tremendous asset to the community. Without having anything budgeted, we made it happen by working together," said Zwank. "Businesses are interested in locating in our industrial park here because of the close proximity to the airport. It's a real boost to the Middleton economy, and today's turnout shows that we'll be very successful."

Middleton resident Ray Fey, a local pilot and member of the Middleton Airport Commission, echoed those same thoughts. Fey has been flying for nearly four decades. "The new airport facility is strategically located to new Hwy. 12. It contributes to the Middleton tax base, and the city receives a percentage of all fuel sales here. The wider runway is safer. It's a wonderful facility," said Fey.

Fey learned to fly out of the Madison airport, and he purchased a Comanche in 1974. He moved to Middleton in 1971 and ran a west-side business before his retirement. Soon it became more convenient to base his airplane in Middleton. He waited for 31-years for a hangar of his own.

"I kept my airplane in Morey's big old hangar. It was inconvenient to get your airplane out… always 5 or 6 other airplanes had to be moved to get your airplane out. We had a big bird problem in there. They were really 'messing up' the airplanes."

"But I had a lot of feelings when the old hangar came down; I had a tear watching it go. Now, it's like three days and one night difference to have our own, individual hangars. It's so nice to open my hangar door and see a clean airplane."

Fey is sharing a portion of his new private hangar with the UW Med-Flight helicopter, until it moves back to its Madison base.

Fey is a member of the EAA Morey Chapter, which provides free airplane rides to kids ages 8-17. On Saturday morning of the Open House weekend, over 65 kids came to the airport with their parents for a flight, and to receive an official EAA Young Eagle certificate.

FMI: www.moreyairport.com, www.eaachapter1389.org, www.ci.middleton.wi.us