SRQ Volunteers Join Groundbreaking as Record-Setting Airport Begins $70M Expansion
Mar. 27—MANATEE — There were several groundbreaking ceremonies on Monday for the $70 million terminal expansion project at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport.
A congressman, the secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation, county commissioners, airport authority members and other dignitaries took a turn with the gold-colored shovels, formally kicking off work on a ground-level terminal.
But none of them took any greater delight than Donna Falgiani, 85, and the other airport ambassadors who were last in line to toss a shovelful of dirt.
"I got a special invitation, and I am so excited to be part of the airport and see it grow," Falgiani said.
Falgiani, and other ambassadors — unpaid volunteers at the airport — wear green floral shirts and standby to help arriving and departing passengers. They also give tours of the airport.
Falgiani has worked and volunteered at the airport for 27 years. Among her employers over the years: Dunkin' and Alamo Rental Car.
Mary Tyrrell has been an ambassador for 23 years and called volunteering at the airport her "happy place."
Another ambassador, Ronald Tranquill, said the best thing about his volunteer job is that he gets to help people.
Other ambassadors who tossed a little dirt on Monday were Steve Pandiscio, Brad Tuttle and Art Stadlin.
SRQ sees record growth
Rick Piccolo, the airport's president and CEO, told an invited crowd that the addition of the one-story, 75,300-square-foot ground boarding facility is badly needed.
This year, a record 4.5 million passengers are projected to pass through SRQ, the fastest-growing airport in the United States and perhaps the world, Piccolo said.
The new terminal will have 970 seats, 630 with power for phones and other electronic devices, five gates, a four-lane security checkpoint, nursing rooms, a pet relief area and restrooms.
Without the expansion, SRQ would be unable to properly serve its rapidly expanding customer base, airport leaders say.
Jeff Jackson, chairman of the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority, said SRQ is a vital part of the infrastructure and growth of the Bradenton-Sarasota area.
"The five gates, everything you see here, will cost $70 million. Everything you see here is all paid with state and federal grants," Jackson said.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, SRQ had already become one of the fastest-growing airports in the country. Early in the pandemic, passenger traffic dipped for a short time before picking up steam again and surpassing what had been previously seen.
SRQ's growth spurt coincided with the addition of low-cost carrier Allegiant in 2018 and Southwest Airlines in 2021.
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