In his last column, the Colonel responds to questions about equipment at gyms, Fourth of July services and dog parks
The "Ask the Commander" program is designed as a communication tool to allow Soldiers, civilians and family members to get concerns addressed and questions answered by the garrison commander. All submitted questions go directly to the garrison commander; directorates and support staff research queries and provide responses to the commander.
Due to newspaper space limitations, only a sampling of questions are printed or broadcast on TV2, a channel available on Army installations. Generally, the commander answers questions of community-wide impact.
Q: The last four times I've been to the Martinez Fitness Center on Schofield Barracks, I've had to wait to use the fitness equipment. It seems as though the gym is often crowded, the hours aren't conducive to a Soldier's schedule, and some of the more popular equipment has been replaced by those which aren't often used. Are there any plans to expand the gym or build new ones'
A: Physical training and conditioning is a necessity for all of our warfighters and a healthy practice for the rest of our community.
Aside from unit training, a number of fitness centers and activities are available to our active community.
Martinez Fitness Center, one of our most popular gyms, is open during the hours that are convenient to most of our warfighters. Still, we understand that crowding can be expected during the peak hours in the early morning and right after the duty day.
We have installed a complete assortment of new selectorized, strength and cardio equipment in Martinez gym, which is commensurate with and required by the Army Baseline standard.
Additionally, battle-focused fitness equipment has also been installed. This equipment is popular and versatile, giving warfighters a range of options, as well as providing for room and functionality for small and large group workouts.
Outside of the required machines, we have a degree of flexibility when choosing what other equipment for the facility. Hearing from our customers can help us identify what is most popular.
Finally, while a new 80,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art fitness center is planned to be built on Schofield Barracks, the current construction date won't begin until 2017.
Since physical fitness is so important in our community, the garrison is working hand-in-hand with mission leadership to develop more immediate solutions.
We are beginning to hold quarterly fitness and recreation council meetings to determine the best ways to meet our community's needs.
Martinez Fitness Center Hours of Operation
Aca,!AcMonday-Friday, 5 a.m.-9 p.m.
Aca,!AcSaturday, 7 a.m-5 p.m.
Aca,!AcSunday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Aca,!AcHolidays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Q: I really enjoy the Fourth of July celebrations held on Schofield. Is there any way that the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation can provide the large trailer-type bathrooms instead of the individual portable toilets (the porta-potties)' They seem cleaner and more hygienic.
A: The Fourth of July celebration at Schofield Barracks is DFMWR's largest event. Thousands of people from our immediate and local community attend, and we're always looking for ways to make the event more enjoyable.
For this year's celebration, we are happy to report that our Directorate of Public Works will be contracting four 55-foot latrine trailers with hand-wash stations.
We hope these trailers will add comfort and convenience to the overall celebration.
Q: Is it possible to build a dog park on post similar to the one available in Navy housing'
A: Many members of our community are pet owners, and we've often been asked about establishing a facility that will allow our dogs the room to exercise and socialize with other dogs.
USAG-Oahu has two established "Bark Parks." One is located on Wheeler Army Airfield, in the "gulch" just off Denny Road, and the other is on Helemano Military Reservation, at the retention basin off of Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road.
Pet owners and their dogs may enjoy these areas leash free.
Specific rules are posted on the gates of each Bark Park entrance. Also, Army Hawaii Family Housing has budgeted $50,000 in fiscal year 2011 toward constructing a dog park in Bougainville.
While these types of parks are beneficial to our pets, they can only be appreciated if our pet owners use them in a responsible manner. Cleaning up after and policing of your pet, to include monitoring for aggressive behavior, is the duty of each and every pet owner.
Please enjoy these parks responsibly, and report violations of park rules.
On a final note
This column will be my last for "Ask the Garrison Commander." My family and I will be leaving the garrison in June on to our next duty assignment.
I hope that, with this column - as with all the other outreach programs the garrison offers, I have been able to both help improve our garrison services and educate our community about the events and activities associated with living and working on our Army posts.
I thank you for your comments, suggestions and support these past three years.
Together, we have continued to make USAG-Hawaii a truly wonderful place to live and work.
Mahalo and aloha!
More Information
To submit an "Ask the Commander" question, send an e-mail to <a href="mailto:AskTheCommander.usaghi@us.army.mil">AskTheCommander.usaghi@us.army.mil</a> or go to the next TV2 taping Sept. 1, 3 p.m., at the Fort Shafter PXmarket.
For more information, call Ophelia Isreal (655-9303) at Customer Management Services, or call Aiko Brum (656-3155) or Jack Wiers (656-3489) at U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii Public Affairs.
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