Not only can they run an airport, and airline operations and marketing departments better than the professionals, they have now become experts in civil engineering and construction.
Possibly some experts in civil engineering and construction could have been employed by the airport?
Yes, there was some rain this Winter(who would have expected that eh?), but basically it's been the best Winter for about 5 years.
There wasn't one night lost to snow or ice this Winter, not once did they not close the runway at night due to weather, generally starting early and often finishing late.
Somebody screwed up on their estimates down the line somewhere.