Haley Pike solar lease

A club flying instructor of nearly 70 years' club history said the solar project would destroy their field and asked the council to leave them in place or postpone the vote.

A 40-year club member described youth aviation training, charity air shows, and recent pavilion repairs, and asked the city to help replace the field if the project proceeds.

A club parent said flying with his son led toward an aviation career, and noted the club is a low-cost community amenity Lexington lacks alternatives to.

The club's 13-year-old vice president, a science fair winner, described the field as Lexington's only STEM park facility and urged members to speak up.

A member since age 12 said the club inspired his engineering career and invited council members to visit and learn to fly.

The club's president noted the self-funded facility, out-of-state event visitors spending money locally, and that voters approved $8 million a year for parks versus the solar lease's $30,000.

A Newton's Attic STEM educator and former club president unveiled a shared-use "Lexington Aerospace and Innovation Campus" concept preserving 54 acres, and asked the council to delay the second reading to explore it.

A club mom described father-son bonding at the airfield and asked the council to preserve a place for the club's future.