WLM | places
WLM | places
very well known for producing the famous Husky aircraft .
Ten years ago Bill Wiemann , a real estate developer including the building of aircraft hangars , discovered the airport in Alpine . Being a pilot , he was intrigued and had to check it out . The airstrip was still active but seriously deteriorated . Not one to stand still for long , he bought it , along with adjacent properties , and gave wings to a dream . He transformed 46U into an airpark of outstanding qualities , with many amazingly beautiful homes where the garage is your aircraft hangar . Bill developed the Lakeside and Ridgecrest , along with other
adjoining runway properties , and finally the Reserve .
In 2007 , Dr . Steven Funk , philanthropist and entrepreneur extraordinaire , was also looking for a refuge — a quiet place in the mountains after many years in the corporate world . He sold most of his award winning international businesses that year ; when he discovered the airpark in Alpine he knew he ’ d found home . He says if you know of a more beautiful place anywhere in the world , let him know .
Dr . Funk purchased an unfinished home on the Reserve and finished it himself . As he was sitting on his back deck one day , experiencing what he calls a huge case of ADD , he wondered what he could do to keep busy while he was in Alpine — the Refuge was born . Also a real estate developer , Dr . Funk bought the remaining 65 acres and started developing them into two acre lots , many of which join the runway . Alpine had been hit hard during the recent recession and the Refuge has had many positive ripple effects . To the airpark , it has brought lights , an automated weather system , and improvements to the safety of the 5850 ’ x 50 ’ runway .
There are over fifty homes now in the development , all stunningly beautiful , and around seventy hangars in the airpark . The landscaping is meticulous with shrubs , prairie grass , evergreens , water features and fish ponds . Delightful bridges , stamped concrete and spectacular views in any direction make it an enchanting place to live . A bike trail winds throughout the area . This world-class , gated , fly-in residential community has to be seen to be believed , yet it is a tight-knit , friendly community of residents . Impromptu potluck dinners or barbecues are often
16 Wyoming Lifestyle Magazine | Late Summer / Fall 2016