Winker Family Announces Generous Donation to Balloon Museum 

Gift will be the foundation of funding for new playscape

ALBUQUERQUE- Today, ahead of the Féderation Aéronautique Internationale Ballooning Commission Hall of Fame ceremony, Greg and Ted Winker presented the Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum with a $250,000 donation aimed at supporting a new outdoor playscape at the museum. 

The Balloon Museum, which opened its doors in 2005, originally envisioned an outdoor exhibit as part of its conceptual design. Now, as the museum approaches its 20th anniversary, the Flight of Imagination Outdoor Playscape is set to become a reality. 

Located along the North Diversion Channel and offering stunning views of Balloon Fiesta Park and the future New Mexico United Stadium, the new outdoor exhibit promises to enhance the visitor experience like never before. The Outdoor Playscape will feature an elevated walkway with engaging educational nodes centered around hot air and gas ballooning. Guests will have the unique opportunity to wander through a half-inflated hot air balloon, test their skills at competitive ballooning, and step inside the capsule of a stratospheric gas balloon. 

With a dedicated performance space, comfortable seating, and interactive play areas, the immersive space will invite guests of all ages to lose track of time while letting their imaginations soar. 

“My father, Jim Winker, was not only a pioneer in ballooning but also a staunch supporter of future generations exploring this incredible sport,” said Greg Winker. “This donation reflects our family's commitment to carrying on his legacy and inspiring a new wave of balloon pilots and ballooning enthusiasts.” 

“It’s impossible to overstate the importance ballooning has on this community, and the new playscape at the Balloon Museum keeps the spirit of adventure alive for young visitors,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “The generosity of the Jim Winker family marks the next transformational step for the museum and ensures the legacy of this ballooning legend will live on.”

Jim Winker was posthumously inducted into the Féderation Aéronautique Internationale Ballooning Commission Hall of Fame in 2021. His engineering innovations, sport ballooning regulatory achievements, and dedication to preserving the history of ballooning have left an indelible mark on the sport. This new project aligns with his vision of promoting the ingenuity and spirit of adventure inherent in ballooning. 

“The Winker family's generous donation will play a pivotal role in bringing the Flight of Imagination Outdoor Playscape to life, creating a space where visitors can engage with the world of ballooning in uplifting and educational ways,” said Balloon Museum Manager Nan Masland.