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Amenities
Flush Toilets and other site improvements will make AirVenture attendees more comfortable.
It's not that often that something as modest as a commode takes center stage. But when talking to EAA's members about the ambitious and sweeping changes coming to their convention site, one simple priority consistently floats to the top: flush toilets.
To focus on flush toilets in a broad discussion about the comprehensive AirVenture site-enhancement program is a bit like focusing on shoulder-harness adjustments in a discussion of all facets of a cross-country flight. It's a small consideration in the big scheme of things, something that doesn't really matter to anyone... except to you when your comfort begins to suffer. And then it matters a lot.
The 10-year, multimillion-dollar plan to upgrade EAA's convention site not only will bring improvements to the site's roadways, layout, infrastructure, navigation, wayfinding, and transportation, but also will result in significant improvements in the area of "creature comforts" for attendees. The long-range vision calls for flush toilets, additional and refurbished campground shower facilities, more green spaces, additional rest areas with shade, more benches, campground hookups, expanded wireless Internet availability, social-gathering pavilions, and an evening sit-down dining option for unwinding or celebrating special occasions after the air show.
Enhancements in place for AirVenture 2009 will cater to the most compelling of the members' desires, according to member surveys, focus groups, and general feedback.
Accordingly, members will see more shady retreats as they traverse the grounds this year. "The best and most cost-effective way to create shade is with trees, and we had a ready supply of trees that had to be removed from the paths cleared for new roadways and construction. We transplanted 42 of these trees and added a few new ones to strategic locations around the site to create shade areas for relief from the hot sun," said Steve Taylor, EAA facilities manager.
"We located many of these shade areas around food venues so our visitors will be able to take advantage of some refreshments while taking a break," he said.
In addition to the trees, Taylor's facilities team is also creating more seating and tables equipped with large umbrellas. These will provide even more shelter from the sun as event attendees enjoy cold beverages and food.
Another conspicuous enhancement for event attendees this year, particularly the campers, will be renovation and expansion of four key shower facilities. The Bunkhouse, West, Stits, and North Forty shower houses will boast new interiors with better lighting, upgraded shower stalls, lavatory sink facilities... and, of course, (drumroll) flush toilets.
The toilets will be added to the back half of each shower house, with access from both inside and outside the facility. The number of available stalls will vary from one to two dozen, according to each shower house's size.
Some portable flush-toilet units, strategically placed throughout the grounds, will provide relief to event attendees who aren’t in the campground.
Planned for subsequent years, renovations to the other shower houses and the addition of brand-new shower facilities will also croon AirVenture campers with the whooosh! of flushing water.
In the meantime, members may prepare for their AirVenture 2009 experience knowing that several projects to enhance their comfort will be in place, with the addition of flush toilets perhaps making the biggest splash.
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