Craig City Council member Ray Beck said airports are “vital pieces of infrastructure,” and improving them is important to communities.

Beck, along with the city council and Moffat County commissioner Audrey Danner met Tuesday before the regular city council meeting to discuss ongoing improvement projects at the Yampa Valley Regional Airport.

YVRA airport manager Dave Ruppel gave a presentation that outlined the third phase of construction projects that seek to make the airport more functional and better serve people who use it.

The third phase, the final step to finishing improvement projects that started in 2002, involves improving passenger flows through the airport, building a new restaurant and adding an additional baggage claim belt.

The project will also include building administrative offices and conference spaces, improving the airport’s roof, upgrading the fire sprinkler system and replacing elevator equipment.

In total, the project entails about $7.8 million in upgrades to the airport, which is located in Hayden and serves Moffat and Routt counties.

Designs for the upgrades have been finalized and bids are being accepted for the project.

Construction of the restaurant and building expansion are scheduled to begin in July and be completed in November. That portion of the project will cost around $1.6 million.

The rest of the project, including the additional baggage claim belt, is scheduled to start in April 2011 and will cost about $3.6 million. It is scheduled to be completed by November 2011.

The majority of the project is being funded by Federal Aviation Administration grants, and contributions from the Colorado Department of Transportation, and area municipalities and governments.

Craig Mayor Don Jones said he is pleased to see the construction projects at the airport.

“It is the hub,” he said. “Everybody relies on that airport … we really have something to be proud of.”

Ruppel said the airport is also a factor in the local economy and tourism. He said 70 percent of winter vacation travelers to the Yampa Valley come through YVRA.

“That is a huge amount of revenue that comes into the valley through the airport,” he said. “You want to make sure that those people come back.”

Throughout his presentation, Ruppel emphasized the importance of a pleasant passenger experience. He said studies have shown the local airport experience is a significant part of the decision-making process for visitors.

“That is the first thing they see when they come into the valley and we are the last thing they see when they leave,” he said. “You can imagine that if you have a bad experience at the airport … that could cover your decision if you want to come back next year.”

Beck, who also serves as the YVRA commission vice chairman, agrees.

“It is a part of customer service,” he said. “If you have happy customers, they are going to return and they are going to spread the word.”

Also at its Tuesday meeting, the Craig City Council:

• Approved, 5-0, April 13 meeting minutes.

• Approved, 5-0, awarding a bid recommendation for an ASV skid steer for biosolids management at the wastewater department to Valley Crane & Equipment totaling $52,244.

• Approved, 5-0, awarding a bid recommendation for materials for the Steele Street water main replacement project to HD Supply of Glenwood Springs totaling $26,711.36.

• Approved, 5-0, revising resolution No. 6 concerning creation of a lodging tax committee to include the phrase “Those volunteers consisting of but not limited to the following workshop attendees.”

• Heard a financial report for the month of March from financial director Bruce Nelson.

Note: Council members Byron Willems and Joe Herod did not attend the meeting.