MWR Central opened in the Solomon Center to large crowds and fanfare Sept. 19.
Col. David Gaugush, garrison commander, said the location is to be the hub of where our Soldiers, their Family members, our veterans, retirees and the thousands of visitors each week can spend quality time with their Families.
He said Fort Jackson was excited about reopening Andy’s Gym that expanded the fitness footprint on post.
“What is unique about this is that we are offering on-site, hourly childcare,” he added. This is in response to challenges across the Army where “families are burdened by the fact its challenging for them to go and take care of themselves, while doing the parent-child handoff. We are offering the opportunity for them to have their children be looked after while they are here getting a good workout.”
The reopening is part of the post’s focus to offer the best quality of life for service members and their families.
We have taken several “disaggregated facilities and services across the installation and brought them to a more centralized location where they can be more easily accessed,” he added.
The services that moved into MWR Central includes Outdoor Recreation rental check out. Marion Street Station, the former home of Outdoor Recreation’s rental check out recently closed it doors.
Fifteen to 20% of Fort Jackson’s service members live on the installation and MWR Central is envisioned to help bring many of those residing off post back on post to use the facilities.
Gaugush said he was confident “we are going to provide not just a product, but great services and opportunities … that will bring our service members and their families back on the installation and a venue to build camaraderie with their teammates after duty hours.”
The opening at the Solomon Center is “a continuation of (Maj. Gen. Robert Solomon’s) legacy,” said Chip Martin, who was the aide to Maj. Gen. Robert Solomon from 1984-1985 and Army Training Center and Fort Jackson chief of staff in 2003.
Martin also spoke at the Solomon Center naming ceremony in 2005.
Solomon “was a fun, kind human being,” Martin said. “When he came here, he just embraced this community. Even when he retired, he worked in several charitable organizations.”
Martin said the best way the community can follow Solomon’s legacy is to “take advantage” of what the post offers and “make it a focal point for their families.”
The celebration of the center opening carried on that night with an evening of dueling pianos.
For more information about Fort Jackson’s Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation visit: https://jackson.armymwr.com/.
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