A Deeper Look Inside Vista Field Airport...
A Short History as We Know It
In 1942 the Kennewick Irrigation District (KID) acquired land in the area of what is now Vista Field. In the same year the KID transferred some of the land to the City of Kennewick for a municipal airport. The United States Government leased the facility from the city and the U.S. Navy used the site for an auxiliary airfield during World War II. The Main Naval air training facility was in Pasco at what is now the Tri-City Regional Airport. After the war the City reacquired Vista Field and operated it as an airport until it was sold to the Port of Kennewick in 1991.
In the early 70’s the city wanted to close the airport. Airport users convinced the city to hold an advisory vote on the issue. City voters overwhelmingly voted to keep the airport. Since that time the city created the Kennewick Public Facilities District (KPFD) to build and operate a convention center near Vista Field. The City and the KPFD were urging the Port to close Vista Field and use the airport land for further development of what the city calls an “entertainment district” and retail development. The last general elections produced three new council persons on the Kennewick City council and one new commissioner and the retention of an incumbent commissioner on the Port Commission. These new office holders all stated their support for maintaining the airport. This has changed the political landscape with regard to the Vista Field Airport. Further development can be done in a manner to enhance both the airport and the area referred to the entertainment district.
Economic Development
Light Industry located at the airport represents some 300 family wage jobs. More business development will happen now that airport permanency has been secured. Carl Cadwell of Cadwell Laboratories has committed to investing some ten million dollars over a ten year period for new hangars and other amenities. These improvements will be “inside the fence” and are shown on the airport master plan.
Businesses that use Vista Field
Many businesses from Yakima, Spokane, and the surrounding region fly into Vista Field for meetings, consultations, workshops, sales transactions, and other business dealings. Vista Field is the preferred airport for these businesses due to its convenient location.
Cadwell Laboratories:
Founded in 1979 by two brothers, John Cadwell BSEE, MD and Carl Cadwell DDS with the first microprocessor controlled EMG instrument, the company has grown to a multimillion dollar business with worldwide sales. At the same location where they started in Kennewick, they design, manufacture, market, sell, and service a complete line of neurodiagnostic equipment. With 110 employees, this high wage company brings $50-$75 million to the local economy each year. Vista Field Airport is key to Cadwell Laboratories, enabling company personnel and customers to fly in or out for conventions, sales, customer sales, and workshops. The airport is used continuously with nearly 200 operations per year. Learn more about this company at www.cadwell.com
Pacific Laser and Cataract Institute:
Pacific Laser and Cataract Institute serves the southeast region of Washington and northeastern Oregon, flying in patients from remote areas to Kennewick by way of Vista Field. The airport is critical in allowing medical specialists and supplies to reach this region quickly. PLCI provides secondary jobs by contracting with five local hotels which host the visiting doctors and patients.
Founded in 1985 in Chehalis, Washington, Pacific Cataract and Laser Institute is the story of a group of physicians who bring a human touch to the sophistication of eye surgery. Their surgical excellence and compassioned concern for referring doctors and their patients has made the Institute a legend in its time.
PCLI is a referral and consultation facility complimenting the expertise of optometric physicians throughout the Pacific Northwest. The Institute provides high caliber medical care in the areas of:
• Cataract surgery• LASIK surgery (treatment of nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism)• Glaucoma care • Corneal care • Eyelid surgery• Retinal care Advanced Medical Isotope Corporation (AMIC):
A frontrunner in medical science, Advanced Medical Isotope Corporation (AMIC) produces and distributes medical isotopes to hospitals and medical facilities for the purpose of diagnosing and treating diseases. Medical isotopes are used in molecular imaging, therapy, and nuclear medicine to diagnose, manage, and treat diseases.
Currently, more than 15 million nuclear medicine procedures are performed each year in the U.S. Approximately one-third of all patients admitted to U.S. hospitals undergo at least one medical procedure that employs the use of medical isotopes.
Because of the short half-life of medical isotopes, it is essential that this facility be located near an airport with quick, easy access for aircraft departure. With no control tower and being adjacent to AMIC, Vista Field is the perfect venue for this important, innovative business. To learn more about AMIC, go to www.isotopeworld.com
The Buckle:
Executives from The Buckle, a franchise clothing store located at Columbia Center Mall near Vista Field Airport, frequently fly in to visit the store and consult with employees. Below is a picture of the Cessna Citation used by the Buckle executives to land at Vista Field. For more information on The Buckle, go to www.buckle.com
Benton County Sherrif:
The Benton County sheriff keeps a single engine, high wing airplane in hangar at Vista Field Airport. The flight preparation activities are done after each flight so the plane is ready for immediate use. The plane is used for search and rescue activities, aerial surveillance, and criminal investigations. Vista Field affords the Benton County Sheriff personnel a quick response time which can be critically important for search and rescue activities.
Other businesses and organizations who use Vista Field:
• Alpine Air• Amazon• Angel Flight• Children’s Hospital• Dutch Brothers Coffee• Infinia• JLS Construction Company• Med Star• Northwest Medi Scripts• Pacific Cataract and Laser Institute• Peninsula Insurance• Rick’s Fencing• Shannon Dental• Sun River Electric• UPS• Washington State Patrol• And a host of other businessesdesigned by Northflo Designs, LLC
