During a busy meeting of the Benedum Airport Authority Wednesday that included discussion on audits to the planned multi-million new terminal, there was one item on the agenda repeated twice. And that’s because those in attendance wanted to make sure the public knew it was about to begin.

 

The Authority, the North Central West Virginia Airport’s governing body, was told by Director Rick Rock that flights from Bridgeport to Myrtle Beach are ready to begin once again.

 

According to Rock, the flights will begin in early June and wrap up in September. The time frame for the flights are June 7 through September 23.

 

“It’s a flight that we hear a lot of questions about from the community as to when it’s going to begin,” said Rock of the destination flight offered by Allegiant. “It’s been a great service that a lot of people get excited about so we’re right now just waiting for the start of the season.”

 

Flights to Myrtle Beach this year will be twice a week. They will depart and arrive at the NCWV Airport on Sundays and Thursday during the aforementioned time period. The flight schedule fluctuates, but the departures and arrivals will be after 6 p.m.

 

The Authority also handled several other items of business on Wednesday. At the start of the session, they heard from Clarksburg Vice Mayor Jim Malfregeot asked for support – financially and with resources – for a planned First Responders Park that would be situated at the corner of Third Street and West Pike Street on the site of the old Clarksburg City Hall.

 

Clarksburg will be one of three communities worldwide to receive a seedling from the “The Survivor Tree,” which is a Callery pear tree that managed to survive the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, this calendar year. The tree, discovered at Ground Zero and damaged badly, was nursed back to health and re-planted on the site’s memorial in 2010.

 

It would be a centerpiece to the First Responders Park paying tribute to police, fire and EMS along with anyone else considered a first responder.

 

The Authority will revisit the issue as a formal agenda item at an upcoming meeting. Members seemed inclined to contribute, but didn’t know to what level.

 

“We’d like to have a seat at the table,” said Authority President Ron Watson.

 

The Authority also approved the Thrasher Group as the airport’s consultant for the next five years. Thrasher was the only firm that bid on the proposal and has served in the capacity of consultant to the airport for many years.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows an Allegiant airplane at the NCWV Airport, while bottom photo shows Authority President Ron Watson, center, addressing the entire group as David Hinkle, left, and Ernie VanGilder listen.