<B>FORT STEWART, HUNTER ARMY AIRFIELD, Ga. </B>-- Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield are committed to upholding the Army Family covenant, which was signed Nov. 7, 2007. The covenant represents a $1.4 billion commitment to improve the quality of life for Army Families.
As another example of Stewart's on-going efforts to support the covenant, Brigadier General Jeffrey Phillips, 3rd Infantry Division Deputy Commanding General-Rear, stood at the speaker's podium in front of Hunter Lanes at the ribbon cutting that celebrated the completion of the $1.34 million renovation project there.
"This is a great facility," Brig. Gen. Phillips said during the ceremony, Dec. 17. "It's hard to believe that it was built in the 1960s. It really is a testament from the Army to the Families regarding the enduring nature of our commitment to the Army Family Covenant in taking care of Families.
"So, while it is a bowling alley, an arcade, it's really part of our expression of support for Families."
Brigadier General Phillips and others in the Stewart-Hunter command have presided over a number of ribbon-cuttings in recent months at Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation facilities.
"I think this is my fourth or fifth ribbon cutting in the last couple of weeks," Brig. Gen. Phillips told the Hunter Lanes audience. He included grand opening ceremonies at the Lotts Island RV Campground and Hallstrom Lake.
He described the projects as "concrete symbols" of the Army's commitment to its Families.
"And the Army didn't used to be this way," Brig. Gen. Phillips said. "The Army's gotten a lot better in the last 10 years or so, really actualizing what we have always felt in our hearts - that our strength flows from our Families."
Garrison commander Col. Kevin Milton pointed out the Army's commitment to the Army Family Covenant in remarks delivered at a ribbon cutting ceremony at Stewart Lanes, Nov. 12.
"It is with great pleasure that we are able to re-open Stewart Lanes after an 11-month, $1.5 million renovation," Col. Milton said. "This is another way the Army is delivering on the Army Family Covenant, signed by the Secretary of the Army and the Chief of Staff of the Army and many other leaders in the Army."
He cited the Stewart Lanes project as an example of the Army's pledge to deliver "improved and expanded recreation programs and services."
Stewart Lanes, originally built in 1962, was the first bowling center and snack bar constructed on Fort Stewart. It has a new exterior faAfASade and entrance, an expanded, modernized kitchen with a walk-up service window, additional party room space and 12 bowling lanes with a "Cosmic Glo-Bowling" theme. The interior has a retro look, with color scheme and theme representing the 50s, 60s and 70s.
The renovated Hunter Lanes now has what Brig. Gen. Phillips described as a "cheerful and welcoming" color scheme, along with AMF state-of the-art gaming equipment, flat-screen monitors and automatic scoring, a modernized kitchen and a concourse that was improved to make it more accommodating for baby strollers and for those who have physical challenges.
Hunter Lanes' centerpiece is a new party room to serve not only Families, but units that want to hold hails and farewells and other events.
Other projects at Stewart and Hunter give evidence of commitment to the Army Family Covenant.
Extensive improvements on the North Shore side of Holbrook Pond Recreation Area, another FMWR renovation project in keeping with the Covenant, are complete but for minor, last-minute details.
The $750,000 Holbrook project includes:
Aca,!Ac The addition of three small and one large picnic pavilions which are screened, lighted and equipped with ceiling fans.
Aca,!Ac The creation of two new play areas to give children a place to safely climb, slide and play.
Aca,!Ac The addition of a sand volleyball court and basketball court.
Aca,!Ac The addition of a fishing pier and boat dock where rental paddle boats, kayaks and canoes are available.
Aca,!Ac The addition of restroom facilities.
Aca,!Ac Added paved parking.
Other December ribbon cutting ceremonies celebrated include the addition of three small and one large pavilion, two playground sets, a restroom and a new floating dock at the Hallstrom Lake Recreation Area off Perimeter Road at Hunter. The cost of the work, which also added paved parking, was $750,000.
A project that added 16 camping spaces with all utilities, patio slabs with picnic tables and a walking path was completed at the Lotts Island RV Campground off Lotts Island Road. This project also cost $750,000.
"The Army Family Covenant is a promise kept," said Linda Heifferon, director of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation at Stewart and Hunter. "The Army's senior leadership has supported the Army Family Covenant and the projects and programs at Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield are a result of that support."
Social Sharing