New Community Center

Stan Hall, left, 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron capital asset management chief, speaks to members of Team Barksdale during a groundbreaking ceremony on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., July 12, 2013. The ceremony was held to celebrate the beginning of construction on the East Reservation Community Center. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrew Moua)

New Community Center

Col. Andrew Gebara, 2nd Bomb Wing commander, speaks during the groundbreaking ceremony of the East Reservation Community Center on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., July 12, 2013. The 3,150 square foot community center will include amenities such as a fitness area, activity room and kitchen. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrew Moua)

New Community Center

Senior Leaders from the 2nd Bomb Wing and Dreamer Dowden, Community Director for Family Housing, break ground during the ceremony of the East Reservation Community Center on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., July 12, 2013. The center is expected to be finished within the next six months. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrew Moua)

Barksdale breaks ground on East Reservation Community Center

Published July 17, 2013
By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Raughton
2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- The 2nd Bomb Wing broke ground for a new community center during a ceremony on Barksdale's East Reservation July 12.

The future 3,150 square foot community center will feature fitness and activity rooms, a kitchen, clubhouse area, leasing office and maintenance center.

Stan Hall, 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron capital asset management chief, opened the groundbreaking ceremony.

"This would not have been possible without the teamwork and support of the 2nd Bomb Wing leadership, the military communities and the Air Force civil engineer center," Hall said. "On behalf of the residents of Liberty Heights and Heritage Heights, we give you our heartfelt thanks."

Col. Andrew Gebara, 2nd Bomb Wing commander, showed his support by breaking ground with a golden shovel.

"Six months from now we're going to have a top-notch facility to go with our top-notch housing," Gebara said. "This project will keep this a subdivision people are excited to live in."

When the community center is complete it will also feature Wi-Fi and a covered area for the nearby pool.

"We strive in CE to build thriving Air Force communities and that's going to be the heartbeat of this," said Lt. Col. Juan Alvarez, 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron commander. "It gives people a place to come back to relax and enjoy the time away from work so when they do go back to work, whether it's turning a wrench or sweeping a street, they get time to rest and enjoy the amenities that our partners have provided us and gives them an opportunity to relax before they get back to work."

East Reservation families will soon be able to enjoy a better quality of life, relieve stress, and Airmen residents will be able to return to the Barksdale mission refreshed.