Fitness center receives New Year's make-over

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Joanna M. Kresge
  • 2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  The Barksdale Fitness Center began a $680,000 construction project Jan. 4, for facility improvements.

During the two-phase construction project, improvements will be made to: the parent and child area, the male distinguished visitor locker room, the reception desk and administration offices. A fitness assessment cell will also be added for civilian personnel who will conduct fitness tests under the new Air Force standards.

"To better have control of the facility we are making adjustments to our front counter area," Master Sgt. Reginald McKnight, 2d Force Support Squadron fitness center section chief. "We will be able to better control the front door area and more effectively perform identification checks. These and a few other improvements are being made to better serve our customers."

The renovations will not only improve security, but also help better serve patrons with children whose spouses are deployed.

"The parent and child area will be moved to the counter area where our admin offices currently are," said James Dich, 2d FSS fitness center director. "Improving our parent and child area is going to enable us to expand into two different areas, one for parents with infants and an area for older kids to keep those two age groups separated."

In order to make these improvements, facility patrons will experience some minor inconveniences. Many of the cardio machines and some of the stations in the weight room have been temporarily relocated to basketball court one.

"We are in the process of putting a second floor over the cardio-theater to house our administration offices for our staff," said Mr. Dich. "This has caused movement of a lot of our equipment so the contractors can drill some holes and put their pylons up."

Although construction will last approximately 240 days, the staff say patrons will experience minimal distractions.

"They can expect a lot of noise and a lot of contractors coming in and out of the facility, but the impact as far as their workout and the machines they need to use will be minimal," said Sergeant McKnight.

Lt. Col. Anthony Sansano, 2d FSS commander, thanks Airmen for their patience as the improvements are made to the gym.

"Thanks for your understanding as the fitness center expands into a better place to grow Airmen fit for service," he said.

As the fitness center makes changes to their facility, they have other projects for their customers to look forward to. This spring, a project to move the softball fields to a new location will be underway, as well as tennis court improvements.