Major construction ongoing in Aderholt gym

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Stuart Camp
  • 1st SOW Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  The place smells of dust and must, and the walls, ceiling and floors are stripped bare. The only thing that looks complete in the Aderholt Fitness Center is the pristine basketball court. 

More than a three months along, renovations in the Aderholt gym has the heating/air conditioning system's guts hanging in the hallways, bare floors awaiting tiles and lockers sitting idle in a racquetball court. 

There's five months of work remaining before the venerable gym can reopen, according to 1st Special Operations Service Squadron officials. And to keep customers informed of the project's status, they've established and regularly update a Web site, http://www.hurlburtservicesonline.com/pdf/fitness_renovation.pdf. 

The $2.6 million for this project, which includes resurfacing the running track and paving two running trails, came from 1st Special Operations Wing end-of-year money. 

"I can't wait to see what it's going to look like with the new paint, carpet and equipment," said Tech. Sgt. Heather Klein, the Aderholt's facility manager. 

While the track reopened to users Jan. 17, the Aderholt is scheduled to reopen in June. 

"With the emphasis on Fit to Fight, we've seen a dramatic increase in the number of customers using Hurlburt's fitness facilities. With that increase comes more wear and tear and the need for more space," said Capt. Brian Rendell, 1st SOSVS combat support flight. "Since so many units are doing group physical training, there's a big need for multi-purpose room space. The addition will give us a dedicated spinning room and a multi-purpose room space that can be divided to allow multiple units to use it." 

Under this tremendous demand, the gymnasium floor and the rubberized track surface needed replacement - to the tune of $279,000. 

"Parts of the rubber surface were coming off, and the paint was fading," Captain Rendell said. "Because of a leak from the men's shower area, part of the gym floor had water damage that made the floor unsafe. As a result, the entire floor will be replaced. As long as the gym floor stays dry and no more leaks show up, its life expectancy is 30 years." 

Although these renovations and repairs will create a top-quality complex for the coming years, it's the "now" drawing the attention. 

The Commando and Riptide fitness centers are now busier as Aderholt customers go to one of those two centers. There is a premium on parking and workout space at the two gyms. 

"To accommodate the increased customer and vehicular traffic, we ask that customers, to the extent possible, move their workouts to non-peak hours," Captain Rendell said. 

Moving workouts outside, especially with the track and infield closed, has put more Airmen on base roads. 

"Folks that drive and run on Red Horse Road know how dangerous that running route can be," Captain Rendell said. "A paved running trail paralleling the road will be added. Also, paving will be added on the East side of the base to extend the current paved trail from Independence Road along Loop Road, and ending at the Riptide Fitness Center." 

The Loop Road addition is due to be completed this month with the Red Horse Road trail following in May. 

When renovations are complete, all three fitness centers will get an update. 

"We are also installing Cardio Theater in all three fitness facilities," Captain Rendell said. The multi-media system allows cardio equipment users to plug their headphones into a receiver on each piece of cardio equipment and then dial in to the audio of any TV that's on in front of them.