The Central Texas Wing (CenTex) of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) received grant money to refurbish its hangar built in 1942.
CenTex is part of the worldwide Commemorative Air Force. The group in San Marcos is one of 79 units with five wings overseas.
CenTex received three grants totaling $70,000 to help restore and upgrade the original 1942 hangar, said Tim Black, CenTex wing leader. The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) granted $25,000, $15,000 came from the City of San Marcos and $55,000 was from the Ed Rachal Foundation.
“Getting the grant money allows us to do things that we need to do to keep the facility up and keep the airplanes up,” Black said. “No one is paid. Everyone is a volunteer.”
The interior and exterior wall of the hangar have been deteriorating. The money from the grants will be used to put metal siding on the south wall and to refurbish the front hangar doors to their original 1942 condition.
“Back in the ‘90s (San Marcos) came out and put metal protective siding on the north and side walls,” Black said. “(San Marcos) didn’t have enough money for the south wall, so it’s always been open to the elements.”
Black said termites have caused damage to the hangar.
“This money, along with the matching grant funds, will be used to preserve the building for years and allow future generations to enjoy the aircrafts,” said Clara Tuma, LCRA Public Information Officer.
Black said CenTex was not in a financial situation to do anything except keep the airplanes flying. With the grants and fundraisers, officials can be proactive.
“(This construction project) is something that has needed to be done for a long time,” Black said.
The LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program (CDPP) awards grants for economic development in the region. It is a way for LCRA to give back to the communities in the service area, Tuma said.
Tuma said LCRA awards grants twice a year. Applicants must state why and how the money will be used. Recipients must provide at least 20 percent of the total cost of the project in matching funds.
“We’ve increased our fundraising program to put us in a better financial situation,” Black said. “We still needed help, and that is the reason we went after the grants from the different sources; to allow us to get done what we needed to do.”
CenTex now hosts a Casino Night in the spring, a golf tournament in the fall and a dinner dance held on Veterans Day weekend to help raise funds.
Black said the rear hangar doors need to be refurbished to mirror the front doors. Plumbing and electrical systems need to be fixed to get the hangar into a satisfactory condition.
“We are already seeing an increase of tourists on a daily basis,” Black said. “One of the reasons is we have increased their presence on social media with Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.”
Black said CenTex joined the Chamber of Commerce in San Marcos, Buda, Kyle and Canyon Lake. Officials have plans to join New Braunfels.
“By getting the word out through those avenues, along with the advertising that we do, we see more activity out here,” Black said.
CenTex is located at the San Marcos Airport and is open to the public Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. No entry fee is required, but a donation of $3 is recommended for upkeep.
Nicholas Laughlin is a reporter for the University Star where this story originally published, and is reprinted here through a news partnership between the University Star and Corridor News.