WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Last fall, the 88th Force Support Squadron began a months-long push to renovate and upgrade many of its recreational and community facilities across Wright-Patterson.
Now, the results of that hard work can be seen at fitness centers, golf courses, Bass Lake, and soon, the Wright-Patterson Club.
“Wright-Patterson is filled with first-class Airmen – military and civilian,” said Renata Spanton-Jones, the 88th Force Support Squadron director. “And they deserve nothing less than first-class facilities. We’re always looking for ways to provide the best quality of life initiatives of any base in the Air Force.”
On April 10 the pool at the Dodge Fitness Center reopened after a 2 1/2 month closure to install a new deck and have a pool liner installed and fitted. The liner has all of the required markings, a non-slip surface and is more ascetically pleasing. The surrounding deck took care of problem areas and safety hazards like standing water, missing or chipped tiles and lime and calcium build-up. Even on the first day the pool opened swimmers were taking notice. “I used to swim competitively, and still swim as much as I can,” said Staff Sgt. Lynley Mainous from the 126th Intelligence Squadron in Springfield. “This facility is much better than what I’m used to – even at the competitive level.”
Golf courses on base are also getting a facelift – inside and out. Prairie Trace recently completed a project to rebuild all of the sand traps on the 18-hole course. Twin Base hopes to complete that same project sometime within the next year, but they’ve already finished touching up the clubhouse facilities with new carpet, additions to the snack bar area and new display shelves.
Roger Smith has been a golfer at Prairie Trace for the last 25 years, and likes what they’ve done on the inside. “What they’ve done is really great,” he said. “It looks new and clean and very professional.”
Bass Lake has a host of facilities, many of which have been spruced up as well. The Recreational Lodge, part of the Family Camp, has new furniture, fixtures, lights and other amenities. Brandon Dixon, the Outdoor Recreation Director, said there other new things happening this year, like being able to rent kayaks, paddle boats and bicycles. They’re adding a small bait shop, where you can also rent fishing poles if you need them and purchase your Ohio fishing license. This is all part of enhancing the recreational opportunities that Bass Lake already enjoys.
The separate, but co-located Bass Lake Lodge, operated by the Wright-Patterson Club, now has a truly rustic environment thanks to work done there. Restroom facilities have been completely renovated. There’s a new fireplace, lodge-type furniture and rugs, imitation antler chandeliers with Edison bulb lighting and some internal painting. The lodge is easily configured for any group size with tables, chairs and a kitchen available for almost any need.
Still to open after a five-month renovation project is the main ballroom, the Daedallion and the Bicycle Lounge at the Wright-Patterson Club. “We actually had to stop this project at one point,” said Brian Colonna, the Community Service Flight Chief who has been overseeing all of the projects. “When we removed the ceiling in the Daedallion room, we saw the original cross beams from when the building was built in 1920s. The 88th FSS and the 88th Civil Engineering Group agreed it would be a shame to cover the ceiling and worked together to create a project change order to preserve the cathedral look which enhanced the room.”
A structural integrity inspection revealed nothing wrong – in fact, the beams were in such pristine shape they only required a coat of wood oil to return them to their original condition. Era-appropriate chandeliers were added, making this the center piece of the room, and a unique environment for events, including weddings and receptions. The club facilities are scheduled to reopen in late May, and according to Colonna, the first wedding is scheduled for early June.
“All of these projects are a return on investment by our Airmen, back to our Airmen,” said Spanton-Jones. “It’s one small way we can say thank you to those who sacrifice so much in their service to our country.”
To learn more about these and other facilities in the Force Support Squadron, including contact information, visit their web site.