FORT STEWART, Ga. - Most everyone can appreciate something new and the children and staff who utilize or work at the new Austin Road School Age Services building are no different. After a soft opening a month ago, the grand opening ribbon was cut Aug. 1, signifying yet another success in the Army Family Covenant--ensuring excellence in child, youth and school services.
After Elicia Bradford sang the national anthem, Installation Chaplain (Col.) Terry Meek gave the invocation followed by a welcome from Child Youth and School Services Division Chief, Dagmar Peguero-Olinger, who thanked everyone for attending such a momentous occasion.
As the guest speaker, Col. John H. Hort, Third Infantry Division commanding general rear detachment, gave his experience in Army daycare facilities and spoke about the great differences and better amenities in the new facility versus the World War II building where he spent time as a child.
Family Members, 9-year-old Logan Goldsmith, and Amania Watts, an 11-year old rising sixth grader, gave tours through the new SAS building to some of Fort Stewart's senior leadership. Goldsmith and Watts both had the opportunity to cut the grand opening ribbon and Goldsmith said although he reminisces over a few things about the old SAS building, he enjoys coming to the new facility.
"I kind of miss it because I miss the big kids' room that used to be there," Goldsmith said. "I think the new building is way better because there is a PS3, there is a Wii, there is a foosball table, there is a pool table and we have all new stuff and it is really fun. My mom was surprised that we have all this stuff."
Harvey G. Buchanan Jr., an administrative assistant with SAS, agreed with Col. Hort's observations about the new building.
"I think it's a 100 percent improvement. They've updated a lot of the children's games … that they have here for the kids," Buchanan said. "We have a lot of kids coming back because they have seen the new building. Then, we are in a different vicinity now from the other Child Development Centers, so parents are enjoying the possibility of being closer [to their smaller children]."
The 135 capacity building was built at a cost of about $5.5 million and has a computer technology lab, a high performance room, art and science rooms and an open atrium which doubles as a multipurpose room.
Buchanan, a former Marine, and father of three said the Army Family Covenant, in part, is being fulfilled through youth centers such as the new SAS building. Buchanan added that he appreciates the design of the new building and said with the atrium style the staff is able to keep a visual on everyone.
"Whereas in the old building, we had rooms back in the back where you could only rely on the camera," he said. "But the way that the atrium is set up now, you can have your eyes on the whole area."
Watts has aspirations to become either a doctor or a singer expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to be one of the tour guides.
"And I also got to cut the ribbon today," Watts said. "It was the greatest honor, because I have never have gotten the chance to do something like that before in my entire life--this was the best day ever!"
Logan, whose parents are dual military, said he thinks the food served at SAS is "awesome" and he is thankful for the new building.
"I think that I am very grateful for the amount of money they have put into this building," he said, "and I think that they have done a really good job."
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