FORT RUCKER, Ala. (January 22, 2015) -- Construction continues to progress on time and on target on the new Fort Rucker commissary, and officials estimate the facility to be complete in the spring and open to customers in the summer.
"The new building will have a lot to offer our customers," said Bobby Ward, store manager. "I should be handed the keys to the new building around April 15, and the time frame to have the store stocked and ready to open is 45 to 60 days following receiving the keys."
The current commissary is about 46 years old and sports around 36,000 square feet of sales area, Ward said. The new commissary will have about 50,000 square feet of shopping area, with the total constructed building being around 85,000 square feet.
"We are very excited about the new location," he said. "We will offer a larger selection of items. Our bakery and delicatessen area will be larger, as well. The aisles will be larger, which is always a huge plus to our shoppers. We will also sell rotisserie chicken in our new location. We have not done that in our current location and that will also be a huge benefit.
"The building will have 96 skylights, which will allow the natural sunlight to flow through the building," Ward said. "The flooring used in the new building is great. Our shoppers will truly be amazed -- it will be a state-of-the art facility."
The construction project began 14 months ago, and although Fort Rucker families will benefit tremendously from the new commissary, others will reap the benefits, as well, said Col. Stuart J. McRae, Fort Rucker garrison commander.
"The old commissary was built around 1969 and it was designed more as storage. Basically, it was designed to fit the time it was built. It was built as a warehouse. The new commissary is built with state-of-the art equipment -- it will be a fine facility. We are basically doubling the space, which will allow for additional items to be available.
"You have to realize, we have around 130,000 individuals utilizing this facility," the commander added. "This commissary not only serves Fort Rucker, it also serves military in portions of Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi. Those families will benefit, as well. This is truly a project that will benefit numerous families."
A grand opening time will be announced at a later date, McRae said.
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