CLIENT: US Forest Service, City of Colorado Springs
PROJECT: Air Tanker Base at Colorado Springs Airport
PROJECT LOCATION: Colorado Springs, CO
PROJECT COST: $6.5M
PROJECT FEATURES: New 4,972 sf two-story Operations Building, a 4,283 sf Fire Retardant Storage Building, and a 13,920 sf containment slab to supply air tankers with fire retardant.facility
iiCON's ROLE: General Contractor
Colorado Springs Air Tanker Base – A Vital Infrastructure Project
iiCON Construction Colorado, LLC played a crucial role in strengthening wildfire response efforts by partnering with the U.S. Forest Service and the City of Colorado Springs to build a state-of-the-art Air Tanker Base at the Colorado Springs Airport. The project was designed to improve fire mitigation and emergency response capabilities across a 600-mile service area, covering Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota, Kansas, and Nebraska.
The new base includes a 4,972-square-foot Operations Building, a 4,283-square-foot Fire Retardant Storage Building, and a 13,920-square-foot containment slab to supply air tankers with fire retardant. The 1.5-acre facility features six reload pits, accommodating aircraft of all sizes, including Very Large Air Tankers (V-LATs) like the DC-10 and 747. Beyond wildfire response, the facility also functions as a de-icing station for the Colorado Springs Airport during winter, requiring a seamless operational transition between seasons.
Designing for Multi-Agency Operations
A key challenge was balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders, including the U.S. Forest Service, the City of Colorado Springs, the FAA, and the Department of Homeland Security. Jurisdictional complexities arose because the project, although federally contracted, was built on city-owned land regulated by the FAA. To navigate these layers of authority, iiCON conducted multiple partnering sessions with representatives from each agency to ensure alignment on project goals and compliance requirements.
Additionally, the operations building was designed with redundant electrical panels and a quick-plug generator connection, allowing it to remain functional during power outages. This ensures uninterrupted fire-retardant mixing operations in summer and de-icing in winter. The buildings were constructed with rigid metal paneling and an A-frame metal roof, ensuring durability and minimal maintenance, especially during non-firefighting seasons when the facility is unoccupied.
Overcoming Construction and Utility Challenges
The project faced significant infrastructure challenges, particularly in utility installations. The site required three dedicated water lines, including one for each building and a third for the fire-retardant mixing plant. A major setback occurred when the city-approved water meter vault was discovered to be too small to house the required meter. Correcting this mistake required designing and installing a much larger vault (20’ x 12’ x 10’), leading to additional scheduling and logistical hurdles.
The revised vault placement impacted existing airport infrastructure, including a high-voltage duct bank and a storm drainage system. iiCON worked closely with the city and the U.S. Forest Service to find cost-effective solutions. A key breakthrough was securing permission from the airport to temporarily disconnect and reroute high-voltage lighting, eliminating the need for costly shoring. Value engineering efforts reduced the additional cost from an estimated $500,000 to $300,000, while allowing the two-month delay to be absorbed without impacting the overall project timeline.
Innovative Pre-Planning and Problem-Solving
As part of iiCON’s commitment to pre-planning, constructability reviews were conducted to identify potential conflicts before construction. One major issue arose when it was discovered that the ceiling system and exterior storefront design did not allow for proper HVAC installation. The original plans had ceiling heights set too low to accommodate ductwork between the bar joists.
iiCON collaborated with the design team and subcontractors to find a solution. The final approach lowered the ceiling height by one foot while maintaining the exterior storefront height, avoiding costly rework. To ensure a polished final appearance, an aluminum trim detail system was added to conceal exposed areas above the ceiling, achieving both functional and aesthetic success.
Quality Control and Construction Technology
iiCON implemented cutting-edge Smart Rock Concrete Sensors to enhance quality control during concrete placement. Cold temperatures posed a challenge to concrete curing, which could have compromised the integrity of the containment slab and building foundations. These Bluetooth-enabled sensors provided real-time data on concrete temperature and strength, allowing adjustments to be made as needed.
This innovative approach impressed government officials, with a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers representative noting that it was the first time they had seen this level of technology applied to a project of this nature. The ability to monitor concrete curing in real time ensured compliance with industry standards while preventing costly rework or structural issues.
Project Success and Recognition
Despite challenges ranging from regulatory delays to unforeseen site conditions, iiCON successfully delivered the Air Tanker Base on schedule and within budget. Strategic planning, collaboration with multiple agencies, and a commitment to quality ensured that every obstacle was met with a proactive solution.
The project's impact extends beyond fire suppression. With its ability to quickly transition between summer firefighting and winter de-icing operations, the facility enhances year-round emergency response capabilities in the region.
iiCON’s performance earned exceptional ratings from the U.S. Forest Service in project management and quality, with high marks in scheduling and regulatory compliance. The successful completion of this project stands as a testament to iiCON’s expertise in navigating complex, multi-agency construction projects while delivering innovative, high-quality infrastructure that meets critical public safety needs.