JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, Va. – With snips from several pairs of scissors, about 80 service members, community leaders and family members filed through the front doors to get their first glimpse of the newly renovated Spates Hall, Jan. 21.
The JBM-HH Command Team, Col. Keith P. Sandoval and Command Sgt. Maj. Kenyon Simmons, along with several members of the Directorate of Public Works and Directorate of Morale, Welfare, and Recreation, were on hand to officially open the building with a ribbon cutting ceremony that celebrated the months of work that went into revitalizing the aging building.
“Today marks a momentous milestone as we open Spates Hall to our community once more,” Sandoval said during the opening ceremony. “We’ve brought this cherished hall back to life, preserving its long legacy, while making it ready for the future.”
He also noted that this reopening was only possible because of the hard work and dedication of the DFMWR and DPW teams.
“The team worked collaboratively to ensure this newly renovated building meets the needs of today’s Soldiers and Marines, while also celebrating its long history,” Sandoval added.
After the ribbon cutting, guests took self-guided tours of the new facility and enjoyed samples from Five-Star Catering. Patrons marveled at the many modern touches throughout the building, as well as the historic photos and art adorning the walls.
“We’re getting a lot of positive feedback,” said Tanja Turner, DFMWR Director. “Folks were coming in before the grand opening and could already see our vision and are booking with us.”
With the highly anticipated opening of Spates Hall comes the closure of a cornerstone of the Joint Base community, Patton Hall. For decades, Patton Hall has been a space for celebrations, memorials and meetings. Now, Spates Hall will fulfill that same vital role. Patton Hall will soon undergo a multi-year, multi-million-dollar renovation.
Spates Hall comes complete with several conference rooms, a ballroom, open event space and the Freedom Lounge, an area for service members to connect and spend time together on the installation.
“This is targeted for our young warriors to come hang out with us on weekends,” said Mudassar Syed, DFMWR Food and Beverage Director. “That is what we want to see happening, so we get into a new phase of camaraderie.”
The changes in Spates Hall are dramatic. Over the past few months, the space has evolved into a modern, state-of-the-art facility. The venue is already booking up fast, with more than 80 events scheduled over the next several months.
“Spates Hall is coming off a major transition,” Simmons said. “In order to serve the same capacity as Patton Hall, it needed a lot of renovations. Now, you just have to see how it looks. It has unlimited potential to be used for a multitude of different occasions.”
“Talk about a make-over,” added Patty George, spouse of U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, after her tour of the facility. “Light and lovely, the spaces are functional and beautiful- perfect for wedding receptions, hails & farewells, or a business lunch meeting. The bar area, complete with a big screen TV and pool and foosball tables, just might become the place to hang out and connect with friends."
For more information on upcoming events and booking at Spates Hall, visit their website and check out their social media at (@jbmhhfmwr).
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