The University of Illinois Willard Airport joined airport stakeholders and construction contractors to commemorate the completion of a new Rental Car Wash Facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony which took place on March 12, 2024.
The $2.17 million project was necessary for the streamlining of rental car operations, relocating the Rental Car Wash Facility closer to the terminal for faster turnaround of returned vehicles for customers. In addition, the new climate-controlled facility will be functional year-round, unlike the previous outdoor car wash area.
The project architect was Reifsteck Wakefield Fanning & Company. The construction contractors included Broeren Russo Builders Inc., X-Treme Mechanical Inc., Reliable Plumbing and Heating Company, and Remco Electric.
“Project planning for this facility began over four years ago” said Tim Bannon, Executive Director of Willard Airport, “we are glad to begin utilizing this modern Rental Car Wash Facility, which will serve our rental car partners for decades to come.”
The facility, which began construction in mid-2023, features pneumatic roll up doors, high pressure water and soap systems, foam brush systems, tire and wheel cleaner, spot free rinse, vacuum systems, security fencing, and an access control system. The facility also includes an employee restroom, built to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.
Willard Airport is served by two car rental companies; Enterprise Mobility, which includes Enterprise, Alamo, and National, as well as Avis Budget Group. As the rental car hub of Champaign County, over 14,000 vehicles are rented annually from Willard Airport. On any given day, over 130 cars originating from Willard Airport are on rent and circulating in and out of the community.
