Fitness center renovations back on track

Published July 20, 2016
By Senior Airman Zade Vadnais
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Team Shaw members who frequent the Shaw Fitness and Health Center have likely noticed renovations to the facility have been delayed for the better part of a year.

The 20th Civil Engineer Squadron, 20th Contracting Squadron, and 20th Force Support Squadron have been working together to renovate the fitness center for about two years. The improvements were originally scheduled to be unveiled in September 2015.

“The facility was in need of a facelift, and old systems that were powering the facility needed to be replaced,” said Capt. Hasmin Bolling, 20th FSS sustainment services flight commander. “There were old and outdated aerobics rooms, racquetball courts, flooring, and an old basketball court that was no longer usable for basketball games to be played safely.”

In order to ensure Team Shaw members could safely pursue their fitness goals and remain fit to fight, outdated and potentially dangerous areas of the facility were closed off for renovations in July 2014.

Unfortunately, the work was placed on hold about 16 months after construction began.

“The project was suspended in November 2015 due to extensive, initially unforeseen conditions discovered during construction,” said Maj. Christopher Jones, 20th CONS commander. “After several rounds of technical and financial negotiations, the government and contractor reached a price and schedule agreement resulting in a total savings of more than $158,000.”

The fitness center renovations are now scheduled to be completed in August 2017.

Gym-goers can expect new basketball and racquetball courts, a new aerobics room, and a parent-child area where parents can work out while keeping an eye on their children.

Additionally, a new fitness assessment area complete with a waiting room, two abdominal circumference measuring rooms, and a push-up and sit-up room is slated to be opened.

Although the renovation project has taken longer to complete than initially expected, the delays are indicative of Team Shaw’s commitment to good stewardship of government resources rather than cutting corners at the expense of gym-goers’ safety or going over budget to meet a deadline.

Ultimately, this strategy will save hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars while providing the base with a cutting-edge fitness center that will keep Team Shaw members fit to fight for years to come.