Jets Air Station Inflated at Jackson College

By Jeff Steers
JTV News

(November 10, 2023 4:01 PM ET) The Jets Air Station on the main campus of Jackson College will be more than a practice facility for student-athletes.

Other uses will include a walking track, possible banquet facility, and a meeting area for Jackson College and the community.

The Station began inflation Thursday morning with workers from R.W. Mercer Co. helping The Farley Group of Ontario inflate the 120 X 330 foot structure southwest of the baseball field. 

The project is expected to be completed by early spring with the dome having an apex of 39 feet. R.W. Mercer is the lead contractor for the project. 

The Jets Air Station is expected to have a rubberized floor for four basketball courts, four volleyball courts, six pickleball courts, two tennis courts, and a walking track around the perimeter of the athletic courts.

The outer fabric is vinyl opaque polyester fabric from DuPont Tedlar that helps ease snow shedding and keeps the dome looking new. The four sections are held together with aluminum joining plates with Velcro covers.

Blowers keep the dome inflated, it includes heating and air conditioning units, and snow and wind monitoring sensors. 

The facility will also include restrooms, a greeters’ station, shoe and bag storage, a seating area, and vending machines. 

The project is expected to be completed by April 2024.