House approves 79,000 square foot fitness facility Published Jan. 11, 2010 By Maj. Angela O'Connell 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- The House Appropriations Committee has approved funding for a new fitness facility here. The new gymnasium is slated to be a 79,000 square-foot facility that includes a gymnasium, locker rooms, cardio area, weight room, group exercise area, aquatics center, indoor running track, Health and Wellness Center, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape water survival training area and associated supporting facilities. Along with the benefits to the 7,000 personnel the facility currently serves, there are also significant environmental and cost-saving advantages. The current gymnasium is poorly insulated causing high utility costs and energy usage. The new facility is expected to save 30 percent in utility and energy expenses. The project also includes demolition of the existing 66-year-old converted warehouse that currently houses these functions. "They require a lot of money to repair and keep safe," said Col. Robert Thomas, 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander. "Instead of continuing to spend money on World War II buildings they need to be retired and demolished; there are much smarter ways to spend taxpayer dollars."