Editorial Board Of The Wichita Eagle Says Kansas Aviation Museum Is An Asset To The City

The Kansas Aviation Museum is in serious financial straits, and the City and community should come to its aid. That is the position of the editorial board of the Wichita Eagle in an op-ed piece published Monday.

The board says that the health of the Museum is critical to the standing of Wichita as "The Air Capital of the World." And while interim museum director Richard Moore told the board that the museum is "very strong, healthy, and getting back on track," the board has also discussed the possibility of bankruptcy and selling some of its collection at recent meetings. Financial reports indicate that the museum is losing $25,000 to $30,000 per month, according to the editorial.

The museum has reportedly cut its full-time staff to one person and is now open only on weekends in an effort to cut costs. But it faces a payment of $183,000 next February for a loan that was used to make upgrades to heating and air conditioning as well as accessibility at the facility.

The paper says that the museum needs "decisive leadership by its board and strong support from City Hall and the community" to assure its continued operations.

(Image from file)

FMI: Full Editorial