Local initiatives to bring outside patrons to the golf course, bowling center and Black Jack Bar and Grill have increased the profitability of those programs, and for the first time in more than 15 years, the golf course is operating at a profit, sai...
As the U.S. Army and Installation Management Command face a changing environment, one characterized by reduced resources, leaders at Fort Leonard Wood are committed to preserving quality of life on the installation despite constraints affecting military morale, welfare and recreation programs.
"MWR has impact on the readiness and resilience of service members and their Families and are a decision point for many to remain serving strong," said Wayne Bardell, director of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation. "On a daily basis we provide a safe, controlled environment for many to reduce stress, and to develop themselves both physically and emotionally."
Since 1989, U.S. Congress has appropriated funds to cover FMWR programs with a direct link to readiness, including fitness centers, community centers and library programs.
Army facilities such as outdoor recreation, auto skills, travel offices, arts and crafts, and child and youth programs are less directly related to readiness and receive a lower authorization of appropriated funds and typically must cover the majority of their cost with user fees, Bardell said.
Other programs, such as bowling centers, golf courses and clubs must be self-supporting with user fees covering all costs, Bardell added.
"Recreational programs across the Army will be reduced by $105 million in fiscal year 2017," Bardell said. "Fort Leonard Wood's MWR share will be a $625,030 reduction which equates to approximately 25 percent of our appropriated funds from previous years."
During the past six weeks, Fort Leonard Wood leaders closely scrutinized all MWR programs to determine which were affordable and popular, Bardell said.
"We have systems in place in our MWR facilities to track customer participation, and of course we looked at their past financial performance and ability to generate revenues; we looked at what is available outside the gate and what our AAFES (Army and Air Force Exchange Service) partners can provide to avoid duplication of services," Bardell said.
"Those programs that can be self-sufficient through the generation of revenues and were well used by our community earned a higher priority," he said.
Given the fiscal conditions, local leaders prioritized programs and services to ensure MWR applied their limited appropriated funds to the right things, at the right time and for the right customers, with minimal disruption to the community, Bardell said.
Following the re-balance of MWR's appropriated funds, the only Fort Leonard Wood facility to close will be the Frame Shop, located at the mini mall, with closure slated for Aug. 31, Bardell said. While the shop is no longer taking framing orders, they will continue to accept engraving while supplies last.
"The closure of the Frame Shop was based entirely on limited customer usage, inability to generate the revenues to break the program even and the availability of engraving and framing services with AAFES and local businesses outside the gate," Bardell said. "It had nothing to do with the quality of the craftsmanship."
The only amenity that will be eliminated is the full-service car repairs at the Auto Skills Center, Bardell added. The Fort Leonard Wood Auto Center will continue to operate 40 hours per week for self-service car repairs only.
Full service at the Auto Skills Center will stop on Aug. 31. The operational hours will remain 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday, Thursday and Friday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and holidays.
The Army's reductions in MWR funding had minimal impact on other programs directly linked to readiness, such as Army Community Service, Child, Youth and School Services, fitness centers and libraries, he said.
New partnerships explored by Fort Leonard Wood's MWR are helping to keep services going despite budget cuts, Bardell said.
For example, AAFES will continue to offer full-service auto repairs on the installation to compensate for the loss of full service at the Auto Skills. AAFES also has plans to bring a concession into the vacated space from the Frame Shop, according to David Swenson, AAFES general manager.
A collaboration with on-post housing contractor Balfour Beatty is being reviewed to provide community residents with incentives at various MWR facilities, Bardell said.
Local initiatives to bring outside patrons to the golf course, bowling center and Black Jack Bar and Grill have increased the profitability of those programs, and for the first time in more than 15 years, the golf course is operating at a profit, he said.
"We are trying to be creative in what activities we offer, focus on customer service and generate income to offset the loss of appropriated funds, as well as work with our local military customers and partners outside the gate to sustain our morale, welfare and recreation programs through the current budget crunch," Bardell said.
"We believe MWR makes for an overall healthy living lifestyle and supports those military members and Families who are committed to serving our nation," he said.
For more information on Family and MWR programs, facilities and upcoming events, call the MWR Marketing Office at 573.596.0131, ext. 60117 or visit online at www.fortleonardwoodmwr.com or Facebook at www.facebook.com/mwr.ftwood.
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