Business View Magazine | August 2019

166 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE AUGUST 2019 W atertown Regional Airport, is a public- use, commercial service airport located two miles northwest of the City of Watertown in Codington County, South Dakota. The airport covers 919 acres and has two runways: Runway 12/30 is 6,898 by 100 feet, and Runway 17/35 is 6,893 by 100 feet. Todd Syhre, the Airport Manager and a five-member Board of Directors, appointed by the Mayor of Watertown and confirmed by the City Council, oversee operations. Watertown Regional Airport has 54 general aviation aircraft based on the field and the numbers continue to grow. Eight privately-owned hangars and 32 T-hangars, owned by the city and leased to aircraft owners, provide safe storage out of the elements. Walter Cooke, a local music store owner, established the first airfield in 1917 after purchasing two airplanes. Cooke and another pilot flew exhibitions at the airfield and, according to local lore, night landings A FRIENDLY NEIGHBOR