The Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport Commission Thursday approved a concept for rebuilding the General Aviation building which houses Airmotive Enterprises, Wings Cafe and a pilots’ lounge and flight briefing room.

Commissioners were joined by their newest member, Trudi Amundson, a pilot, who replaces outgoing Commissioner Beth Pfingsten. Pfingsten was presented with a plaque noting her six years on the panel as well as her longtime activism on behalf of the airport.

If funding allows, the airport commission would be responsible for building a small building that will house the cafe and a 24-hour pilot briefing room and pilot lounge. Airmotive, the airport’s fixed base operator, will construct a building on leased airport land.

Airport Manager Jeff Wig said he expects that Federal Aviation Administration and Minnesota Department of Transportation funding will be used. He described the project as a public-private partnership.

The commission also re-elected Andy Larson as chair and Don Jacobson as vice chair.