Community center pool opens at Fort Shafter

By Amy L. Bugala, U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii Public AffairsApril 24, 2009

Community center pool opens at Fort Shafter
FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii - Four-year-old Pierce Dalton spent a sunny afternoon enjoying the new spray park that opened recently at the 1st Lt. Jonathan Brostrom Community Center's aquatics facility. A 25-meter lap pool and children's sand pool are among ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii - Residents of Army Hawaii Family Housing (AHFH) have a new amenity to enjoy here.

A 25-meter pool servicing AHFH residents garrison-wide opened recently at the 1st Lt. Jonathan Brostrom Community Center, Fort Shafter.

"We're excited to have our first aquatics facility open," said Lisa Reese, AHFH director of property management. "It's another great amenity we can offer, and it's great to see so many of our families enjoying it." The new facility features a 25-meter lap pool, splash park and children's sand pool. Families also can enjoy spectacular views of Pearl Harbor from the pool deck areas.

Unlike Army facilities, such as the pools provided by Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (FMWR), the 1st Lt. Brostrom Community Center was constructed, and is operated, maintained and supported solely by funds provided through AHFH residents and not U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii (USAG-HI). Therefore, current policies allow only AHFH residents and their family members (from any garrison installation) to use the pool.

"The community centers, to include the 1st Lt. Brostrom pool, are provided as a benefit and incentive to live in AHFH provided housing," explained Col. Matthew Margotta, commander, USAG-HI.

And in addition, for Soldiers and families who live off-post, "there are facilities that mirror the ones provided by AHFH for their use - that are supported by the Army."

In the southern community, FMWR offers a pool at Aliamanu Military Reservation and Tripler Army Medical Center and in Waikiki there is a pool at the Hale Koa Hotel.

The 1st Lt. Brostrom pool is open during the summer from 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday. The pool is closed Mondays.

A pass is required for entry and can be obtained at the center. For more information about AHFH visit <a href="http://www.armyhawaiifamilyhousing.com">www.armyhawaiifamilyhousing.com</a>.