FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — Fort Leonard Wood leadership has decided to reopen more Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation facilities for Soldiers and their families under “new normal” conditions.
Locations such as the Bruce C. Clarke Library, Leisure Travel Services and the Auto Skills Center – among others – will operate with social distancing protocols in place and limited operating hours to allow for enhanced sanitation efforts.
Garrison commanders, in coordination with installation senior commanders, look daily for ways to bring back as many of these amenities as possible while mitigating risks.
“Protecting ourselves so we can protect the force, so the force can protect the nation has been the Army’s approach since the coronavirus pandemic began earlier this year,” said Lt. Gen. Doug Gabram, commander of U.S. Army Installation Management Command, which includes FMWR programs. “It’s important to go slow at first so we can go fast later. We are being very cautious and deliberate in our reopening strategies.”
Col. Eric Towns, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Leonard Wood commander, said the goal is to reduce the probability of viral transmission using mitigation measures “that we have all become familiar with now: social distancing, hand washing and sanitizer stations, etc.”
“It’s a phased process for many of our FMWR facilities,” he said. “We are taking Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Defense, Army and state and local guidance into account and then applying our own risk assessment of the specific activity or facility. We also take into account the local, state and regional data we are receiving. We then add facility or activity specific mitigations measures – like no touching the flagsticks at the golf course. We have conducted this kind of analysis for all of our facilities and activities within the garrison.”
The FMWR programs’ reopening plans rely on the best advice of the nation’s top experts. As these situations change, recommendations may, too. All garrisons remain fully mission capable and continue to perform all mission-critical tasks.
Fort Leonard Wood facilities reopening soon include:
The Bruce C. Clarke Library opens June 7 for counter pick up and drop off only.
Hours of operation:
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday
Patrons must wear face coverings during exchanges with staff. Call ahead to have books and media placed on hold and the staff will have the order ready for pick up curbside by the library front doors. Children’s programs remain suspended until further notice. However, virtual programs can be found on the MWR Facebook page, at www.facebook.com/mwr.ftwood.
Leisure Travel Services opens June 8 by appointment or phone reservation only.
Hours of operation:
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
Patrons must wear face coverings during appointments.
The Auto Skills Center opens June 6.
Hours of operation:
11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Thursday and Friday
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Patrons must wear face coverings during exchanges with staff – not required while working within the bay. To maintain social distancing, every other bay will be available.
Rec Plex mini golf and go karting opens June 6.
Hours of operation:
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday
Patrons must wear face coverings during exchanges with staff and within the facility – not required while playing mini golf or during go kart rides. Prepacked snacks and drinks will be available. Wallace Pool and Splash Park remain closed.
Lake of the Ozarks Recreation Area RV, rustic camping and marina opens June 6.
Hours of operation:
RV and rustic camping reservations may be made 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day
LORA marina rentals may be made 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Monday
Patrons must wear face coverings during exchanges with staff. LORA cabins remain closed.
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