The Opal is named after Opal Kunz.  She was a fierce female pioneer in the aviation industry.  She was born in 1894 and received her pilot license in 1929.  Opal learned to fly to prove that women have as much place in aviation as men. In 1930, she became the first female pilot to race men in an flying competition and won the race.  She was the organizer of the Betsy Ross Air Corps, which was a paramilitary service formed to support the U.S. Air Force, to aid in national defense and to serve as humanitarian air minutemen.  She also was a charter member of the Ninety-Nines organization of women pilots.

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It is with honor that we have named the venue after such an inspirational female trailblazer.