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Lake Of The Ozarks' Longest Airstrip, Lee C. Fine, To Receive $4.3 Million Runway Revamp

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Lee C. Fine Memorial Airport
photo by Nathan Bechtold

Editor's Note

An earlier version of this article mistakenly stated that the City of Osage Beach had already acquired the acreage associated with Lee C. Fine airport. As of this publishing, the city is waiting on legislative approval for the agreement.

OSAGE BEACH, Mo. — Lee C. Fine Memorial Airport (AIZ) is set for a major runway renovation after the City board approved a $4.3 million project that'll improve safety and capacity. 

On Nov. 7,  the City of Osage Beach authorized the Mayor to approve a contract with Capital Paving for the rehabilitation of Runway 4-22 at the Lee C. Fine—the longest airstrip at Lake of the Ozarks. The project is budgeted at an amount not to exceed $4,329,496.00.

In addition to repaving the nearly 6,500 feet long runway, all runway lighting will be replaced and a new beacon light will be installed in a different location. 

The project is partially funded by a Federal FAA Block Grant, which will cover 90% of the costs. The City is responsible for the remaining $432,949.60. So far, $243,750 has been spent, leaving a balance of $4,121,250 in the FY24 budget.

This major rehabilitation is necessary, as the runway's last significant overhaul was in 1999, with ongoing minor repairs like crack filling and sealcoating completed in the years since, under guidance from the FAA.

The project had experienced delays, as the bid was opened on June 4, but the necessary award authorization from MoDOT Aviation was not received until late September. The City Administrator noted the importance of expediting this contract approval to ensure timely progress on the rehabilitation project.

While there is no fixed start date due to the approaching winter weather, the work is expected to begin in early spring 2025, depending on conditions. The project is expected to take around three months.

The Future Of The Lake's Largest Airports

Osage Beach is working on an agreement with the state of Missouri to acquire 385 acres at Lake of the Ozarks State Park, including the airport, at no cost, in exchange for taking over 14 miles of wastewater infrastructure within the state park. The bill to cement the agreement died in the Missouri legislature during the embattled 2024 legislative session. 

The City calls Lee C. Fine essential for the Lake community’s growth, noting it’s the larger of the city's two airports and a key economic driver, boosting jobs, trade, tourism, and overall development in the area.

But this is just one airport project at the Lake. The Camdenton Memorial-Lake Regional Airport is also expanding with 20 new hangars to address the critical shortage at local airports. 

This development, slated for early 2025 completion, aims to boost the airport’s efficiency, provide additional storage, and support growing demand among both private and business aviation.

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