Lakeland’s SUN ‘n FUN is Reimagining the Florida Air Museum, Supporting Industry Growth
New facility at SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo campus will enhance STEM programming, workforce development, and Central Florida’s growing aerospace industry.
Polk County’s momentum in aviation, aerospace and defence continues to accelerate—and a newly unveiled expansion plan for the Florida Air Museum signals just how high that trajectory can go. As airplanes streamed through the sky at the 52nd Annual SUN ‘n FUN fly-in, visitors and aviation enthusiasts may have missed one important event happening on the ground.
On April 17th, the SUN ‘n FUN crew broke ground on a new chapter for the Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE) Florida Air Museum. The project will enclose and expand the functionality of the existing Aerospace Pavilion, a portion of the Museum that has served as a programming anchor and mission-driving cornerstone for over 25 years.
This upgrade marks yet another significant investment in the future of aviation education and community engagement in Central Florida. The Aerospace Pavilion 2.0 will open an additional 9,000 SF of covered flexible learning space to house students and aviation enthusiasts year-round. Future upgrades to the Museum include adding a new glass wall on the south side of the Florida Air Museum to provide easy access to the Jerry Holland Destination: Aviation Playground and providing space for new, interactive exhibits to the Florida Air Museum. The entire future-forward plan supports ACE’s goal of drawing more people of all ages who are interested in the world of aerospace and aviation.
This enhancement not only improves the visitor experience but also expands the campus’s ability to support continuous programming—an important shift as the region works to strengthen its position in high-skill, high-wage industries like aviation, aerospace and defense.
History of Soaring Forward
The original Aerospace Pavilion, completed in 1999, has been the hallmark of the organization’s community-focused mission since its opening. Over the years, the Pavilion has been home to field trips, summer camps, and youth education programming; all of which play an important role in inspiring and educating the future generations of Polk County’s aerospace professionals. Today, the youth education programming at ACE reaches over 30,000 students a year, with many programs already at or over capacity.
The development will expand access to these STEM-focused early education opportunities as well as provide programming space for middle and high school level students. Once complete, the enclosed Aerospace Pavilion will convert what has traditionally been a seasonal, weather-dependent structure into a flexible, climate-controlled space capable of hosting exhibits, educational programming and events throughout the year. According to the SUN ‘n FUN team, the completion of the Aerospace Pavilion 2.0 will allow them “to continue their work engaging, educating, and accelerating the next generation of aerospace professionals.”
STEM-Focused Workforce Development
This investment aligns closely with the broader mission of the Aerospace Center for Excellence, the nonprofit organization behind SUN ‘n FUN. With a focus on STEM education and workforce development, the new pavilion will help create pathways for the next generation of aviation and aerospace innovators. By providing hands-on access to technology, aircraft, and industry expertise, the facility will further strengthen the region’s growing talent pipeline.
The timing of the groundbreaking underscores the continued growth and momentum of the expo itself. The SUN ‘n FUN fly-in continues to draw hundreds of thousands of attendees and generate substantial economic impact for the region, with hotels and local businesses seeing significant demand during the event. As attendance and industry participation expand, investments like the Aerospace Pavilion 2.0 ensure the campus can evolve to meet future needs.
A Strategic Step Forward
The groundbreaking of the Pavilion expansion signals meaningful progress. It demonstrates how targeted infrastructure investments can unlock new opportunities for education, industry collaboration and community engagement.
As Polk County continues to grow and diversify its economy, projects like this highlight a shared commitment to building environments where innovation can thrive—and where future generations can see themselves taking part in it. Looking ahead, the Aerospace Pavilion represents more than a new building—it reflects a commitment to innovation, education, and long-term regional impact. As construction moves forward, the project will continue to position Lakeland and Central Florida as leaders in aerospace engagement, reinforcing the area’s reputation as a destination where aviation inspiration takes flight year-round.
