The mission for this Keene Airport Recreational Facility Project is to educate the community about the importance of the airport area as a major asset to the Monadnock Region. The main goal is to recognize the airport as a welcoming gateway to the region, which should well represent the character of both its built environment and the natural features.


Introduction:
The Keene Dillant-Hopkins Airport (EEN) is located in Swanzey, New Hampshire two miles south of Central Square at 80 Airport Road. The Keene airport is to the south of Keene, New Hampshire, just north of the Massachusetts border and east of the Vermont border. Airport Road connects the airport to State Route 32 and the Ashuelot River flows through the property on the west end. Refer to Figure 2-1.
The airport was built in 1940 and dedicated on October 31st, 1943. The site includes 1000 acres and is located at 488 feet above sea level. There are two runways R/W 2/20 and R/W 14/32. The first runway is 6,200 feet long and 100 feet wide and the second runway is 4,000 feet long and 150 feet wide.

Originally the Keene airport was located in West Keene up until 1942, when the Airport Committee came up with “A Joint Resolution Constituting Agreement with the United States Relative to Opening and Maintenance of the Keene Airport.” The city of Keene obtained all the land necessary in North Swanzey to create the airport and would keep the facility in good condition at all times. The airport was built for public use, but could be used for military purposes with advance notice.

On September 14th, 1942 construction for the airport in North Swanzey began. The airport was named after Army Air Force Lt. Thomas Dillant, of Keene, and United States Navy Fireman 3rd Class Edwin C. Hopkins, of Swanzey, who died serving their country in World War II. The airport project cost over $1,000,000.


Project Goals:
The goal of the Recreational Facility at the Keene Dillant-Hopkins Airport is to attract community members to the site to involve them in the activities that take place at the airport. Involvement of the community would allow growth to Monadnock Aviation and the flying clubs that are located at the Keene Airport. Acknowledgment of the importance of the airport would bring more business to Monadnock Aviation and raise interest in community members who are interested in obtaining their pilot’s license.
The Recreational Facility would provide a location for youth hockey leagues and Keene State College’s club hockey team to practice and have tournaments. The current facility at the Cheshire Fairgrounds is in horrible conditions and past the need for repairs. An up-to-date facility would benefit the community and growth of the hockey programs in the surrounding areas.

In conjunction with the indoor ice arena, an outdoor ropes course, boardwalk trails and rock gym would be incorporated. These programs work hand-in-hand to benefit the summer camps and youth programs during the winter and summer months. All of these programs represent the “New England Feel.” The ice rink represents the dominance of hockey in the northeast, the ropes course allows for a feel of the densely wooded areas of New Hampshire, the boardwalk trails allow access to important ecosystems through the wetlands of the Ashuelot River and the rock wall will be shaped as a replica of the Man in the Mountain so that the symbol of New Hampshire will live on.