had flown with the club for fifteen years. Metz agreed to serve for the next three years, agreeing to step down if he was unable to procure a permanent site; he has since returned to his duties as president. Metz began by soliciting local municipal governments, but the areas offered had problems such as excessive wind, access problems and noise concerns. Another member, Ron Vincent, offered his help. Vincent had assisted in procuring land and building a site in his native Oregon and contacted the United States Bureau of Reclamation regarding the possible use of federal land. These sites had problems of their own, primarily because of Desert Bighorn Sheep Habitat incursion and encroachment on Native American land. The Bureau eventually offered a site encompassing - or one square kilometer - alongside the All-American Canal in an unincorporated area off Avenue 54 and Pierce Street near Coachella. The site not only had ideal flying conditions, but an ideal arrangement as well with an initial twenty-five-year lease at only US$1 per year with renewal options for another twenty-five years at the lease's expiration. Much work remained as the site was littered with garbage, wrecked automobiles and discarded tires. Metz began telling his story in earnest and before long, donations from developers and large corporations began coming in. Members donated money, furniture and the monumental amount of labor needed to clear and develop the site. Member Larry Eaks, a wheelchair user, actually drove the water truck necessary to reduce the amount of very fine particulate matter thrown into the air during construction. The 600'x70' (183x21m) runway, pit area and parking area were completed in May 2002. Extensions added later brought the runway to its current length of 865' (263.65m). A combination control line and helicopter pad was added in late 2007 when the stretch of Avenue 54 leading to the property was paved by the county; the pad may also be used by slow-flying park flyers. A flagpole was added to the area next to the dedication plaque in 2008 and was dedicated with a flag which had flown over the United States Capitol and which was donated to the club by Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack. Since the club is located on public land, maintenance is conducted in part by the Coachella Valley Parks and Recreation Department. Other maintenance and operational costs are offset by annual dues of US$150 or a one-time