by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian
Top Picture: Southwest Texas College President Hector Gonzales speaks before City Council
With the Southwest Texas College 30-year lease of a City owned hangar located at Garner Field set to expire on September 30th, 2024, SWTC President Dr. Hector Gozales spoke on behalf of the agenda before the Council requesting a new hangar lease, the council voted to table the request to allow members of the City Council to tour the Colleges’ Aviation program facility in Del Rio and allow for Gonzales to provide curriculum details.
In a letter Gonzales sent to the City of Uvalde Airport Manager Joe Cardenas, it stated: “We are requesting that the City renew the lease for a term of 10 years with two 5- year options to extend. The hangar is home for our Aviation Maintenance program, and we have students enrolled for the Fall 2024 semester which begins on August 26, 2024. Our long-term plan is to expand the current hangar to accommodate the Aviation Power Plant portion of our A & P curriculum.”
Gonzales believes that providing aviation technology education and training as part of the SWTC curriculum in Uvalde would give students a marketable career skill that provides good pay. According to Gonzales, the College has invested in Castroville, Del Rio and Hondo referring to its aviation technology educational programs.
“My Philosophy from day one is a partnership,” Gonzales said.
City Councilmember Hector Luevano said, “I think we need to afford them the opportunity. Education is a big plus for our community.”
Not everyone on the council was in favor of granting the hangar space to the College City Councilmember Chip King said there is a high demand for hangar space at Garner Field.
“Uvalde is notorious for no hangar space.” King said.
King was also concerned that if the city provides a new lease to the college, the hangar’s use could jeopardize the 5.2 million dollars of funding the city receives from the Federal Government to maintain and operate Garner Field referring to classrooms inside the hangar. According to Cardenas, the existing classrooms would have to move out of the hangar.
Gonzales informed the council members the hanger is needed for load moving and aircraft taxiing.
While Gonzales informed the Council that he spoke with Van Fleet, who oversees the federal funding, and he was told the college’s aviation program at the hanger would be in compliance.
King responded and said, “…but the next guy says no.”
“We need partnership. If this program as/is qualifies as aviation related.” Gonzales said.
City Council Mayor Pro Tem Everardo “Lalo” Zamora said, “I want a curriculum. I want to tour that facility.”
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