Serving as catalyst for local and regional economic development while also contributing to the advancement and future of aviation education at the University of Central Missouri (UCM), the opening of the new Skyhaven Aviation Center will be officially celebrated during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8. All media are invited to attend the event at Skyhaven Airport, 160 NW 251 Road, in Warrensburg, Missouri.
Skyhaven Airport is a community use and educational aviation facility serving the needs of area businesses and private pilots while also preparing UCM students to help fill a growing need for professional pilots, who are currently in high demand nationwide. This dual role is incorporated into the design of the new 10,000-square-foot Skyhaven Aviation Center that is the centerpiece of the airport. Completed this summer, the $5.1 million building project is made possible by a combination of funding sources that includes approximately $1 million in state financial support; generous private gifts totaling $2.8 million from Warrensburg residents Lynn and Jackie Harmon, the Sunderland Foundation, and other private donors. University funding has made up the balance.
During the dedication ceremony, remarks are expected from local, state government, and university officials, followed by tours of this state-of-the-art facility. Media members who are interested in attending the event are encouraged to contact Jeff Murphy, director of communications and media relations at UCM, at 660-543-4640 or email jmurphy@ucmo.edu prior to Sept. 8 to help ensure you make all the connections you need for your coverage. We hope you will consider sharing this story with your audience.
