Spaceport in need of millions of dollars in repairs

Virgin Galactic has finally launched its first paid flight from New Mexico’s taxpayer-financed Spaceport America, but the facility which was built starting in 2009 at a cost of more than $200 million (plus numerous additions) is already in need of millions of dollars in repairs.

Roof repairs alone could run from $800,000 to $3 million.

The Spaceport will also install an expensive water treatment system to remove the minerals, adding that to its utilities costs.

Finally, a new 30,000-square foot building including staff offices, conference rooms, an auditorium, cafeteria, dining area and server storage is also being considered as an addition to the facility with estimated the costs ranging between $45 million and $60 million.

The good news? Virgin Galactic is finally launching from the facility.

The bad news is that New Mexico taxpayers have spent well over the $220 million construction price for the facility and are going to likely be spending millions more before Virgin Galactic even shows that they have a viable operation.