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Show ! Future of Airport Seems Uncertain ! Maintenance problems at Canyonlands I Field have raised some questions about the future of the airport and alternatives, should the facility eventually be closed. Dick Smiley and Klen Brooks, 1 representing Skywest, Inc., attended County Commission meeting Monday to ' report on maintenance and repairs I needed at the field. They said the runway . and ramp need sweeping to clear gravel, I the building needs painting, and parking i lot and tie-down areas need blacktop. I Sweeping and the purchase of paint were agreed to. ' In further discussion it was suggested that a tie-down fee be charged and that ' parking fees be charged for cars. The I eventual need to resurface the field also . led to discussion of the high cost of this I type of project, distance of the field from i Moab, and problems with the underlying ' surface structures. t Commission Chairman D. L. Taylor ' commented it might be advised, in the I long run, to put the old airport south of Moab back in shape, and abandon the i newer facility. Loss of tax revenue to the I county was discussed, since the old airport is located in San Juan Countv. ' Lack of lights on the field is another I drawback. ' These comments brought some reac- I tion from members of the Red Rock i Racing Association, who have one vear ' left on a 5-yr. lease of the old airport. 1 where they have built a racing strip. The I organization has applied for a new 5-vr. lease which, if granted, would include a clause giving the commission the option I to cancel at any time. J Commissioner Harvey Merrell, speak- I ing to the fact that any airport changes i would be strictly long-range projects, ! said that the countv has an obligation 1 through 1978 to the federal government ' to continue maintaining the new airport. This obligation arises from the contract entered into at the time the new airport I was constructed utilizing mostly federal . funds. I |