SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany - 52nd Fighter Wing and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers leadership broke ground on a new fitness center here July 22.
The center is part of the base's northwest expansion program, which includes the construction of a new Exchange, commissary, high school, middle school and multiple sports fields across an area of nearly 133 acres.
The $24 million fitness center is scheduled for completion in August 2013, said Tech. Sgt. Ramon Munoznuno, 52nd Force Support Squadron. The 68,000 square-foot structure will include an indoor running track; a full-sized basketball court; a climbing wall; separate spin, aerobics and circuit rooms; an open area for cardio exercises; locker rooms with showers; and free- and fixed-weight systems.
"This is a huge morale boost," Munoznuno said. "We'll have better programs, more space and just a better ability to service our gym goers."
The current fitness center was built in 1953 and is in a three-way tie with Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, and Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., as the oldest gym in the Air Force he said. The new gym will have better infrastructure, ventilation and a brighter indoor appearance.
"This state-of-the-art fitness center will provide the Spangdahlem community with the best, most advanced equipment and facility in Europe," said Rick Long, a project manager with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The design will be similar to the new Wiesbaden Fitness Center, U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden, with only slight variations to accommodate site conditions and placement, Long continued.
“We appreciate every opportunity to support USAFE and to be a part of the team bringing this quality-of-life facility to the Spangdahlem community,” said Lt. Col. Rick Rieger, USAFE program manager for the Army Corps of Engineers’ Europe District, which is managing construction of the fitness complex. “I’ve had the opportunity to enjoy the Wiesbaden fitness center and I can tell you that when this facility is complete, it will certainly help everyone raise the bar on their physical training scores.”
Munoznuno said until the new fitness center is operational, the current gym will remain open for Airmen trying to get or stay in shape.
"The benefits to staying in shape are self-explanatory," Munoznuno said. "I mean, you have to be in shape for today's fight.
"If you're not in shape," he continued, "you're not going to be able to accomplish the daily mission, either."
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