Airmen build, benefit from ALS gym reconstruction

The Airman Leadership School gymnasium awaits new flooring and equipment on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., March 11,2014. Airmen volunteered in the reconstruction of the gym and will soon be open for unit and squadron physical training sessions. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Benjamin Raughon)

Airmen build, benefit from ALS gym reconstruction

Published March 11, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Raughton
2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs

Barksdale Air Force Base, La. -- As reconstruction on the Airman Leadership School Gymnasium continues, Airmen will soon have additional workout opportunities after its grand re-opening.

Around 70 Airmen have contributed to the renovation, which will ultimately bring a new look and new equipment to the nearly 60 year-old facility.

Airman 1st Class Jeremy Sayles, 2nd Aerospace Medical Squadron public health journeyman, is a volunteer who worked on the ceiling and walls of the gym.

"All the equipment was taken out of one area, and the walls were pretty beat up," he said. "You could only tell it was a gym because there was a basketball court. As a self-help facility, it's a good project because it's something we can do ourselves. With Airmen actually building it, I think it helps out a lot with labor costs."

Currently, the gym is awaiting both new supplies and fitness equipment.

"We have rubber flooring arriving next week so the gym will start looking a lot more polished up," said Maj. Erik Tarnanen, 2nd Bomb Wing chief of exercises and plans. "We will open up free-weights to the base for unit physical training here starting in a couple of weeks."

Coming with the upgraded facility, the newly renovated gym will also have equipment associated with a popular workout.

"We're bringing Cross-fit here," Tarnanen said. "The base currently does not have a Cross-fit facility, so we're bringing Cross-fit equipment along with rack systems so people can get a new workout experience."

Alongside Cross-fit, the ALS gym will also have a free-weight and cardio sections with a lifting machine section. However, no completion date for the gym has been set.

"It depends on contracts that are up for bid," Tarnanen said. "As soon as those bids come back we can get a better idea of when equipment will arrive. I'm excited about the gym opening and working together to create a better place for fitness on Barksdale.