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EAA Chapter 132 asks Elkhart airport board for help replacing clubhouse roof; board to review donation options
Summary
Phil Knox, president of Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 132 and tenant at Hangar 51, told the board the chapter’s clubhouse roof needs replacement and requested financial support; the board discussed lease maintenance responsibilities, the airport donation fund, and asked the chapter to provide three bids and to return with a proposal to the July meeting.
Phil Knox, a hangar tenant and president of Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 132, spoke during privilege of the floor on June 24 to request assistance offsetting the cost of replacing the chapter clubhouse roof at the airport. Knox said received quotes ranged from about $5,200 to $9,800 and that the building is leased from the city for chapter use and aviation education activities.
Knox described the chapter’s outreach—monthly breakfasts, Young Eagles and youth-focused training events—and said the roof was likely to cost more once decking is exposed during removal. "We lease the little building up to the base of the tower for our chapter... our core mission is to expand interest in aviation," he said, and asked whether the board might consider a donation to help cover repairs.
Staff and board members responded that the city owns the building and that the EAA’s lease assigns maintenance responsibility to the tenant, but the board also maintains a separate donation fund (staff estimated the fund balance between roughly $6,000 and $8,000). Board members suggested practical next steps: obtain a third quote (they already had two), confirm lease terms with the attorney, and consider placing a donation or contribution proposal on the July agenda.
Board members also suggested temporary, weather‑tight patching and volunteers planned a work night to apply interim repairs. Staff said they would review the lease language and work with the EAA to explore donation and grant options, including potential community‑foundation grants for projects under $25,000.
The board did not vote on financial assistance at the June meeting; members agreed to follow up with a formal proposal and documentation at the July meeting.
