SALT LAKE CITY — After years of delays, city officials and model airplane enthusiasts celebrated the grand opening of Salt Lake's relocated model airport Wednesday.
On the city's western outskirts — west of the Salt Lake Valley landfill near 7500 West and 1300 South — model airplanes and helicopters buzzed through the air. Below, about 100 aviation enthusiasts gathered to celebrate their new miniature airport, equipped with a 550-foot-long runway and a 35-foot helipad.
At the park's ribbon-cutting ceremony, Mayor Jackie Biskupski thanked enthusiasts for their patience while the city worked to open a new model airport — a promise city officials made when the Jordan River Model Port closed in 2010 to make room for the Regional Athletic Complex.
"I wanted to make sure when the city promised to relocate the old airport that we followed through on that commitment," Biskupski said.
When construction stalled at the Regional Athletic Complex due to litigation between the city and the Jordan River Restoration Network, so did the model park's relocation.
But this year, with litigation now resolved, the city was able to move forward with its plan to use part of the recreation center's $15.3 million bond to pay for the park's relocation. The hobby park broke ground in August.
Just a few short months later, the runway was ready for takeoff.
"Today, with the help of all of you here, we are opening not just a hobby park; we are opening a great laboratory for the sky," Biskupski said. "I'm pleased to hear you will continue your legacy of offering free flying lessons, truly inspiring a new generation of pilots at this location."
After the ribbon-cutting, Brandon Reimchiissel, a 26-year-old competitive model pilot, launched his remote control Pilot Extra 330 as the audience cheered.
Some gasped as he sent it into vertical nosedives, sometimes letting it free fall in chaotic spirals, barreling toward the ground, before he kicked its propellers back to life and pulled it out of the dive at the exact right time.
Reimchiissel said he began flying model airplanes at 6 years old. Before the Salt Lake City park's opening, the nearest model airports were in Lehi and Grantsville, he said.
"This park really does mean a lot," he said. "For the guys who come to the Lehi park, it's a 100- or 70-mile trip, so this will be a lot closer for them."
Aaron Greer, president of the Ute Radio Control Association, thanked Salt Lake City for helping reopen the park.
"We look forward to continuing our partnership with the city to make sure this model airport is utilized and enjoyed for years to come," Greer said. "I hope and do believe, as a result of providing this model port to the Salt Lake community, future generations of scientists, engineers, mathematicians and other technologists will rise up and make contributions to improve our world. This model port is an investment into future generations."
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