FORT SILL, Okla.--The greens at Cedar Lakes Golf Course are being covered with a green way of living according to Maj. Gen. David Halverson, U.S. Army Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill commanding general, as Fort Sill ushers in a new era in taking care of Soldiers and their families.
A press conference was held at 3-Mile Track Friday where Picerne Military Housing officials stated they have secured funding to continue their plans to build modern housing for Soldiers in a new development called Buffalo Soldier Acres.
Tim Toohey, Picerne Military Housing program director, said the economic recession may have slowed the new construction but that it is still under way as the company will be doing business with Fort Sill for the next 50 years.
In the next several years, 432 houses will be built on the former golf course while 332 historic homes will be renovated along with 556 other family houses. The new three- and four-bedroom houses will be energy efficient and include a safe room, two living areas and upstairs washer and dryer hookups.
Halverson was proud to share the plans as he feels it will show a very important growth in Fort Sill's history.
"One hundred years from now they'll be able to look back on what happened here and say with great pride our leaders were taking care of us. Our country was taking care of us and was appreciative of the sacrifices our people were making."
While most of the Soldiers at Fort Sill live off post, those who do live inside the gates will also get to enjoy family-friendly neighborhood centers. Picerne said each center will feature a swimming pool, business center, community rooms, children's play room and more amenities.
"Our Soldiers and their families deserve it. These Soldiers are a small segment of our population that have stepped up and said I will serve this nation during a time of war. And their families also serve. Families that might not wear medals on their chests but they wear it on their hearts and we owe it to them to provide a good community and a good quality of life," said FCoE and Fort Sill Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph Smith.
While the fairways will be drastically changing, Halverson said the 3-Mile Track will be left intact for Soldiers and civilians to use. Toohey added there will also be fitness centers incorporated into the community-style living to offer military families more opportunities to work on their fitness.
Fort Sill's family housing currently consists of 1,411 houses. After construction and demolition activities, that figure will increase to 1,728 houses. The project is expected to put $200 million into the local community as much of the housing will be built by local contractors and vendors.
Picerne Military Housing officials said they expect to break ground on the new construction Nov. 1.
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