Base fitness center remodel brings in millions to Homestead

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Lou Burton
  • 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. --  What do you do when you are rated the best?  You improve, because being the best means staying ahead of the curve. Homestead ARB's 5-star fitness center, is slated to do just that.

Plans have been approved for a $4.5 million renovation of the Sam Johnson Fitness Center in May. The facility upgrades will include a 1,200 square foot expansion, new fitness rooms, a retail shop, a juice bar, steam rooms, massage room, an overhaul of the lighting, electrical systems, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, along with updating the exterior façade.

"The added square footage will be great because currently we have more equipment than we have space to put it," said Mr. Herb Tideman, 482nd Services Fitness and Sports Director.

The project is estimated to take one year to complete. The temporary home of the base fitness center during construction will be accross the street from the base inside the old base exchange facility. 

"The remote location will offer the same services and fitness classes as the regular center with the exception of basketball, racquetball and showers," said Ms. Alice Fields, 482nd Services Chief. "Our plan is to start the move on a Monday and reopen at the temporary location Thursday."

The turn over date for fitness center to the construction company is May 12. The relocation process has not been scheduled yet, but it will be before the construction hand-off date.

"This is a design build project. The design requirements are drafted by the base, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers makes the design, the base approves it, and then construction begins," said Mr. David Bader a mechanical engineer with the 482nd Civil Engineering Squadron.

Developing the detailed plans for the redesign have been overseen by base civil engineering and services offices.

"We have to specify our design to the smallest detail. From the window placement to the amount of power outlets, the design has been carefully reviewed to meet the needs of the base," said Tideman.

The project will benefit not only the base, but the local community as well. Money for the construction and material cost will be funneled into local businesses.

"Right now we are scheduled to use eight contractors from the Homestead area to complete this project," said a spokeswoman for Barlovento LLC., the construction company contracted to handle the remodel.