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SAWYER -- After speaking with Museum Board President Bob Vick for just a few minutes, it was easy to tell how passionate he is about the K.I. Sawyer Heritage Air Museum.

"It depicts, it records the history of the life that we lived, I spent 23 years in the Air Force and we know everything this represents," says Vick.

But the 14 years Vick's been volunteering at the museum have been a huge financial struggle.

When the "W" was closed in the summer of 2009, the air museum was re-located to the former K.I. Sawyer Rec Center.

Vick's hoping that, with the museum's new space and exhibits, will come more donations.

"We just felt strongly enough about it that we wanted to give it our best try, if we fail so be it, but we do want to get the community involved, I think if we can it might just succeed," says Vick.

To get ready for the museum's grand opening, Bob and the rest of the board have been unloading thousands of artifacts to be displayed in the new 8,000 square foot museum.

But Vick says they still have a long way to go before the museum's May 1st opening. They need to finish constructing a reception area and gift shop, remove the jackpine trees from the front yard, and fill the various display cases with new pieces.

The re-vamped museum features a browsing library and memorabilia from various units stationed at the old base.

And they're hoping to utilize the larger space to continue adding to the collection.

The museum is set to be open until October 1st, and its success over the summer will determine whether it stays open or closes forever.