HARLINGEN — A major upgrade is in store for passengers at Valley International Airport who have a VIP card to access the airport’s special lounge.
Work on a $90,000 upgrade of the room is expected to begin this month, airport officials say.
“Bids were received from the contractor, SLR, and the pre-construction meeting took place on Sept. 16,” Marv Esterly, director of aviation, told the airport board last month. “The contractor has started ordering materials at this time. There are some delays in some of the products they need to start the job, so we’re estimating a start date at Nov. 7 at this point.”
“The total project was $90,000, and we spent $4,000 to date, most of that was in design and engineering,” Esterly said. “The clock hasn’t started for the contract, but starting Nov. 7, we should be mobilized. Unfortunately, it’s through the holiday season, but sometimes, we can’t do anything about it.”
The VIP lounge at the airport is a members-only room where those holding a pass card can wait on a flight to depart.
The VIP Club membership is $25 for two years and is aimed at business travelers. A membership can be accessed on the airport’s website under Passenger Services.
“Frequent business travel can be hectic and stressful, so the VIA VIP Club invites you to an exclusive executive getaway lounge,” the airport’s website reads. “Inside the private luxury of VIA VIP Club, you’ll enjoy your favorite beverage, catch up on the financial, market and business news, send a fax or compose your next presentation in the quiet comfort of leather chairs.”
Design of the new lounge was done by Harlingen architects Megamorphosis.
