WATERVLIET ARSENAL, NY (Nov. 20, 2014) -- In 1840, a small building located along the Erie Canal became one of the first, if not the first, Army weapons research centers. Although the Erie Canal has long since been filled in, building #41 still remains on the Watervliet Arsenal and there is little doubt that the substances that are now housed in this historic building might have been welcomed by the workforce in 1840.
The arsenal remains rich in historic buildings, some of which date back to the 1820s. These beautiful stone and brick buildings have through the years been transformed countless times to adjust to the wartime and peacetime needs of the Army.
Today, the former research center still performs a mission, but the results of its products are hard to measure because unlike the building in which they are housed, they are intangible. Nevertheless, the Army and the arsenal greatly value these intangible assets, which are called morale and motivation enhancements.
The arsenal's Morale, Welfare, and Recreation division now controls the former research center, now called the Cannon Community Club, and has recently made an $80,000 investment to make this facility a place where employees may meet after work, families to marry, or where one may host their 50th wedding anniversary. In essence, a community place for all.
Dawn Whelan, the arsenal's MWR manager, said the club has just completed a major renovation of its dining and bar lounge areas, changing a 1970s-era look into a contemporary-looking atmosphere where anyone would be pleased to host an event. The club has a wide variety of catering menus, as well as a well-stocked bar that will accommodate any social event.
"Prior to this major remodeling effort, we were hosting about 20 to 25 events a year that ranged from baby showers to weddings," Whelan said. "But with the upgraded facility, we would like to build the usage up to 35-40 events a year."
Whelan explained that the more use the club attains the more revenue that will be generated and retained at the arsenal for upgrades to other MWR activities. The club is one of the few in the Army inventory that currently earns a profit.
The club and its catering service, which can accommodate up to 80 people at any one time, is available to all Defense Department employees, retired arsenal employees, and civilian tenant organizations on the arsenal.
Regarding the $80,000 investment, that money came from retained earnings that were generated via MWR activities and not from taxpayers, Whelan said.
Although the Army researchers of the 1840s might have found it difficult to comprehend what would become of their treasured space, they certainly might have appreciated a place where good fellowship could be had…such as the Cannon Community Club.
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Watervliet Arsenal
-The Watervliet Arsenal is an Army-owned-and-operated manufacturing facility and is the oldest, continuously operating arsenal in the United States, having begun operations during the War of 1812. It celebrated its 200th anniversary in July 2013.
-Today's arsenal is relied upon by U.S. and foreign militaries to produce the most advanced, high-tech, high-powered weaponry for cannon, howitzer, and mortar systems. This National Historic Registered Landmark has an annual economic benefit to the local community in excess of $90 million.
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