Friday, OCTOBER 17, 2025 |
Photo – Jets at Saratoga airport – Bigfoot99 file photo
The Town of Saratoga has agreed to lease portions of Shively Field to the new owner of the airport.
During Tuesday evening’s Saratoga Town Council meeting, Mayor Chuck Davis announced that Airport Advisory Board member Ladd Sanger had purchased the Saratoga Jet Center from Mountain Flight Service Incorporated. As part of the purchase, Mayor Davis said he and Town Attorney Kylie Waldrip drafted a lease for the fixed-base operator, or FBO, building, the fuel farm, and two airplane hangars.
Sanger purchased the Saratoga Jet Center business, but the Town still owns the land and buildings on the property. As such, the business owner must pay rent to the Town as the landlord.
Mayor Davis said under the lease, Sanger will pay $2,000 annually for the FBO building and fuel farm, plus $1,250 each for Hangars Seven and Eight, bringing the total to $4,500 per year.
Additionally, Sanger must pay seven cents for every gallon of aviation fuel dispensed at the airport, increasing revenue for the town.
The lease agreement is for 25 years, which Mayor Davis admitted was longer than usual. The Mayor explained that Sanger is financing a portion of the sale and requires the extended lease to meet the bank’s conditions.
Mayor Davis said the Airport Advisory Board unanimously approved the sale of the Saratoga Jet Center to Sanger.
The Saratoga Town Council voted to approve the lease agreement. Afterwards, Sanger thanked the governing body for the opportunity, saying that he’s dreamed of owning the local airport since he was a child.
Sanger said Shively Field is the first thing many visitors see when arriving in Saratoga. The airport is well known across Wyoming and has attracted financial support from both state and federal sources.
Sanger attributed much of the Jet Center’s success to its current manager, Larry De Andredes. While the Saratoga airport is the envy of many, the new owner said it can be improved and plans to invest his own money in those upgrades.
Sanger said he’s in a position to lead the Saratoga Jet Center and Shively Field into the next generation.
