Winter Haven approves airport master plan grant, extends remote tower agreement and hears Sun 'n Fun recap

The Winter Haven City Commission on May 20 adopted a pair of airport measures and heard an operations report from the Winter Haven Regional Airport ahead of the summer season.

The commission approved Resolution R-25-19, authorizing a public transportation grant agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation for an airport master plan update. The total project cost is $592,000; 90% ($532,800) will be paid by a Federal Aviation Administration grant, 5% ($29,600) by the Florida Department of Transportation and 5% ($29,600) as the city’s obligation. City staff recommended approval and the commission voted to adopt the resolution after no public comment.

The commission also approved Resolution R-25-21, which extends an existing FDOT public transportation grant agreement for the airport’s digital remote traffic tower program. The extension moves the grant expiration from June 30, 2025, to Dec. 31, 2026; staff said there is no financial impact associated with the extension.

Airport Director Troy Heidel and Airport Operations Supervisor Colin Davis offered a Sun 'n Fun 2025 recap, describing adjustments the airport makes for the annual aviation event. Davis said the airport brings in “contract controllers” for the week because “we see about the operations we'd see in a month in just that week.” To manage the crowds and aircraft, staff used flagged golf carts to guide pilots, designated two grass parking areas because the asphalt cannot support the week’s traffic, and operated shuttle vans—one shuttling within the airport field and another running to Lakeland Linder International Airport for the airshow. The commission was told the airport closed its crosswind runway (Runways 11/29) for the week to reduce runway crossings and simplify traffic flow during the event.

Davis reported some group statistics: a Cardinal owners’ group (Cessna 177 Cardinals) returned with about 28 aircraft; Warbirds used the field for pre-briefs and lunches; the grass parking areas and pavement were heavily used. Airport staff said gallons of fuel sold were roughly the same as the prior year, while tied-down aircraft and revenue from ramp fees increased.

Why it matters: the master plan update is a step toward longer-term airport improvements and planning; the remote tower extension preserves the grant timeline for the digital tower project; and operational lessons from Sun 'n Fun shape safety and staffing for peak events.

Next steps: staff will implement the master plan grant and bring related documents and any required construction-phase authorizations back to the commission. The remote tower grant will remain active through Dec. 31, 2026, per the adopted extension.

(Reporting note: the commission took both votes by voice after public hearings closed; no members of the public addressed either resolution.)