Fort Cavazos digs into fitness with ground-breaking ceremony

By Blair Dupre, Fort Cavazos Public AffairsOctober 24, 2024

A group of people pose for a picture behind a mound a gravel while standing and holding shovels holding gravel.
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Fort Cavazos leadership and representatives from the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, and Kompan, a company that designs and constructs playground and fitness sites, participate in a ground-breaking ceremony for the new Abrams Outdoor Fitness Park Oct. 16, 2024, behind Abrams Physical Fitness Center at Fort Cavazos, Texas. (Photo Credit: Photo by Blair Dupre, Fort Cavazos Public Affairs) VIEW ORIGINAL
A graphic depicts an outdoor fitness park to be constructed.
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A three-dimensional rendering shows what the new Abrams Outdoor Fitness Park will look like once it is completed. It’s expected to be done February 2025. (Photo Credit: Photo courtesy of Kompan) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT CAVAZOS, Texas — The sound of an excavator and a small bulldozer demolishing an outdoor basketball court echoed as people gathered Oct. 16 behind Abrams Physical Fitness Center for the Abrams Outdoor Fitness Park ground-breaking ceremony at Fort Cavazos.

The new facility, funded by Installation Management Command, will feature workout stations with equipment for different types of workouts, a multiuse court, walking/running track, play areas for children and more. There is no other like it in the Army, and the aim of the $2-million facility is to give families a place where adults can focus on their physical fitness, however they see fit, while still being near their children.

“(This facility) symbolizes not only our commitment to fitness but our dedication to innovation, readiness and community well-being,” said Col. Lakicia Stokes, U.S. Army Garrison-Fort Cavazos commander, during the ceremony. “Physical fitness has always been a cornerstone of military readiness and building resilient units, Soldiers, families and communities. We recognize that the way we train must evolve to meet the challenges of tomorrow — this park represents that evolution.

“What makes the Abrams Outdoor Fitness Park unique is its holistic approach,” she continued. “It’s not just a place to conduct strength training or run laps. It’s about creating a space that offers something for everybody in our community — Soldiers, families and civilians. We believe that supporting our Soldiers means supporting their families too, and this park reflects that belief. Moreover, this park will stand as a model for Army installations, demonstrating the Army’s forward-thinking approach to Soldier and family fitness.”

Brad Pittam, sales director, North American Agency Partners, Kompan, the company contracted to build the new facility, said the company has a 50-year history in play, and he is happy they are part of the project.

“It’s a monumental change for the space,” he said. “It’s not fully utilized by the community here. Now we’re going to change it to a space that will be engaging with the community. We try to create happier and healthier communities, and I think this (park) is going to do that.”

Summer Inwood, chief of Sports Fitness and Aquatics for the Fort Cavazos Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, said the ground-breaking event marked the culmination of four years of planning, and the facility will be a great place for families to gather.

“Army regulations really prevent children from accompanying the parents, spouses or active-duty, into the fitness facilities, so we really have to be creative and look for outdoor spaces where we can accommodate the need,” she said. “This will be that. We will be able to provide a really great training modality — several modalities in fact. Whether it be group fitness or function fitness, CrossFit style, whether it be weight training — all of this will be encompassed by the ability to be able to bring your child into a safe environment while you work out.”

Stokes concluded her remarks, just before the ground-breaking ceremony, by thanking the Soldiers and families of Fort Cavazos.

“Your hard work and dedication inspires us every day to bring facilities like this, which enhance both our physical and mental strength and the quality of life here at The Great Place,” she said. “This park is for you, a space to push your limits, build each other up and prepare for the challenges that lie ahead. As we put the shovels in the ground today, let it be a symbol of our unwavering commitment to fitness, resilience and excellence.”