The dream of having an all-weather facility at Atwater’s Castle Air Museum to protect vintage military aircraft and create a comfortable and profitable destination for tourists and large-scale gatherings is rapidly approaching reality. Museum officials announced this week that they have achieved significant financial progress with a major donor from Colorado, committing $2 million dollars, along with commitments from two other California donors, for a total of $4 million dollars.
Now they say the museum is moving forward with the selection of a project manager to select the proper site for the “Aviation Hangar / Pavilion,” and identify what utilities are to be required so that the project can launch. The museum’s executive director, Joe Pruzzo, said the new investments are more than enough to complete the groundwork and most of the construction, though more fundraising is needed.
“Once people see it happening, that it’s no longer a dream, and it’s actually happening, they will be excited to get onboard,” said Joe Pruzzo, the museum’s executive director. “This will put us on a stage to attract big reunions and major corporate fundraisers. And visitors will be able to enjoy the 20 to 22 rare military aircraft housed inside during the dead of winter or the heat of summer. We are on our way to becoming the most remarkable and unique destination between Southern California and the Pacific Northwest.”
The Hanger / Pavilion project will be approximately 80,000 square feet in size, and will require a 12-inch-thick concrete slab to accommodate the weight of the aircraft. Castle Air Museum is appealing to businesses and individuals throughout the Central Valley and beyond to join the fundraising effort. All monetary donations to this project are fully tax deductible, as the Museum is a 501c3 non-profit organization.
Go online to the website: castleairmuseum.org, click on “Support Us” and scroll down to Aviation Pavilion for more information on the Project.
Castle Air Museum is located at 5050 Santa Fe Drive in Atwater.