New Fitness Center right around the corner

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Anthony J. Hyatt
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Construction of the long-awaited "going-green" Fitness Center at Tyndall Air Force Base, which began almost two years ago, will be completed in the next couple of months.

The Fitness Center, which was originally scheduled to be completed by spring 2010, has been pushed back to a later date. The grand opening for the gym is August 20, according to Lou South, 325th Force Support Squadron Fitness Center director.

Besides being a place for Airmen to get "Fit to Fight," one of the main goals of the $18 million project is reaching the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Platinum Level, the highest rating possible under the group's green-building rating system.

Using an energy-efficient roof system, solar panels and a host of sustainable building materials could help the fitness center reach the Platinum Level.

The materials used to construct the facility were a primary concern.

"More than 40 percent of the materials purchased for the project have recycled content," said Brian Allen, 325th Civil Engineer Squadron fitness center program manager. "Also, more than 35 percent of the materials purchased for the project were extracted, processed and manufactured within 500 miles of Tyndall."

Compared to a similar-sized building without the same energy-saving features, the new facility would account for $45,000 in annual energy cost savings.

"The building is expected to use 40 percent less water than a typical fitness center of the same size," said Mr. Allen.

At 75,000 square feet, the new fitness center will be more than three times the size of the current gym, which is 23,175 square feet. In addition, it is constructed to withstand a Category 3 Hurricane with 130 mile-per-hour winds.

The new facility will include a gymnasium with two basketball courts, racquetball courts and both male and female locker rooms.

Another feature of the gym is a massage therapist room, a parent-child area and the Health and Wellness Center.

More than $400,000 dollars has been spent on new equipment for the gym, according to the Fitness Center director. Most of the old equipment will be turned into the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office. Dumbells and weight plates will be transferred to the new gym.

The current gym, which was built in 1975, will be scheduled for demolition upon the completion of the new fitness center.

"Tyndall is committed to being a leader within the Air Force and the community for sustainability and environmental stewardship," said Mr. Allen.