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New Fairchild Fitness Center opening soon

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Earlandez M. Young
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  After sixteen months of construction and an average daily work force of 65 people, Fairchild's new fitness center is nearly complete.

On Feb. 7, users will begin moving equipment and furniture into the new facility. The old fitness center is projected to close the last week of Febuary to move the remaining equipment to the new facility.

The new fitness center is scheduled to open March 9. The existing indoor pool is scheduled to close April 20 to move the remaining equipment to the new facility. The new pool will open in early May with a grand opening to follow. The demolition of the old fitness center will begin after the new pool opens.

"On February 7, we'll verify distance and conduct dry runs on the new running track. It might be available for physical training testing in mid-Febuary," said John Gahagan, fitness center director.

The new facility contains a 1/8th mile running track, with 12 laps equaling 1 ½ mile run for the Air Force PT test run component, and a NCAA standard basketball court.

"The main floor including the swimming pool is 57,570 square feet," said Fred Greif, project manager, 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron. "The second floor along with the running track is 22,100 square feet - which makes the new facility almost 80,000 square feet total."

The new fitness center has features which the previous fitness center didn't have. Along with the 1/8 mile track, the basketball court can now be divided to provide two full-court volleyball games or allow the option for simultaneous short basketball and volleyball, eliminating conflict for both activities. It also includes a fitness assessment area, the HAWC and a new 14-foot deep state-of-the-art pool which will be used for Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape water training and recreational swimming.

"Other features include more parking, improved force protection, air conditioning and an elevator," said Gahagan. "The facility will also have an increase in the variety and type of exercise equipment available."