Quality of life at Tyndall sees constant improvements

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Rachelle Elsea
  • 325th FIghter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Not only has Tyndall seen the arrival of a brand new, state of the art fitness center and an extensive remodeling of the Horizons Community Center, but the Berg-Liles Dining Facility and the dormatories are undergoing several renovations as well.

The dining facility is currently undergoing construction to both of its dining rooms, as well as the customer and employee restrooms.

"Contractors are removing the elevated dining area on both the Heritage and sports lounge sides of the facility," said Master Sgt. Ed Flanders, 325th Force Support Squadron dining facility manager. "They are doing a complete renovation of customer bathrooms and minor renovations to staff offices."

The changes benefit the customer but, it will open doors for the employees as well.

"The renovations are part of a quality of life enhancement for the Berg-Liles Dining Facility," said Sergeant Flanders. "The projects will enhance our ability to compete for the 2011 John L. Hennessy Award, best food service operation in the Air Force, at the Air Force level Feb. 7 and 8."

Tyndall last won the Air Force-level award in 2008.

These renovations cost are nearly $98,000, said Sergeant Flanders.

"The dining facility was constructed in 1980 and was in desperate need of upgrading," said Sergeant Flanders. "The newly decorated Heritage dining area will enhance espirit de corps."

The renovations will soon be completed; however there are still plans for the future.

"We have identified the serving line area as the next project," said Sergeant Flanders. "We have received a quote of $377,000 to completely remove the existing serving line and replace it with a more modern, customer-friendly line. The new serving line will include a double-sided salad bar that will allow staff to replenish the salad bar from behind and not to interfere with the customers. The serving line will also include new grills, soup wells, pasta bar area, new desert coolers and drink area."

When it comes to the dormitories, the changes are just as vast.

Tyndall is home to more then 400 dorm residents, in half a dozen buildings and nearly 600 rooms.

"In the last two and half years, we have replaced the furniture in all 568 rooms in the dorms costing nearly $600,000," said Staff Sgt. Laron Collins, 325th Civil Engineer Squadron unaccompanied housing manager. "Nearly $60,000 worth of the old furniture was donated to members of the local community in need."

Some buildings were in need of a little extra work also. For example, the dormitories nicknamed the Quads, were given the most extensive of the improvements.

"We are also, currently, remodeling the Quads, at the cross-section of Mississippi Road and Louisiana Road, costing nearly $900,000," said Sergeant Collins. "The Quads have been reserved for technical school students in the past. But, after the renovations are complete, we will open more than 100 rooms to permanent party Airmen as well."

Other buildings saw less significant changes.

"We also did more than $100,000 worth of remodeling throughout the campus," said Sergeant Collins. "This included new blinds, carpet, day room games, stove ranges, the changing out of old light bulbs to energy efficient bulbs, new grills and much more."

In the future, the dorms will have free Wi-Fi in all the day rooms and fenced-in patios.


"We enjoy creating a more welcoming and comfortable living facilities for Airmen," said Sergeant Collins. "My only hope is that they treat the dorms with the same respect they would treat their parents house because at the end of the day, this is their home."