Airmen get new 'Community Commons'

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class James Hensley
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Airmen will now have another place to go to relax and better themselves both physically and mentally with renovations being made to the Health and Wellness Center on base.

"Building 700 will be renovated to become the new 'Community Commons' at Luke AFB," said Jim Shaw, 56th Force Support Squadron Community Services flight chief. "It will serve as a one-stop location to increase Airmen resiliency, promote wellness and create a sense of community. To achieve these objectives, the facility will update the HAWC and add the First Term Airmen's Center among other related activities.

"This facility will be an integral part of the services transformation in which partnerships and consolidation of existing community support activities will optimize resources as well as leverage under-utilized spaces."

The 56th FSS conducted a survey to see what Airmen think and have received responses about how to best renovate the building, Shaw said.

"The survey is providing us with great insight on what services we can provide to improve the lives of Team Luke," said Kaila Bird, 56th FSS marketing director. "We are learning a lot about what we can do to provide Airmen a healthy outlet to decompress and how we can better support community wellness both physically and mentally. The results may help inspire future projects down the road."

The renovations are scheduled to begin April 2015, and the estimated time of completion is spring 2016.

"Subway will remain open during construction," Shaw said. "We are working with both the Army and Air Force Exchange Service and the Services Agency on options for a second food operation next door to Subway. McVipers will go away and the barber shop will move to a new location within the facility. Additions include the FTAC moving upstairs, a regeneration lounge, a gaming room and more.

There will be a new program to accommodate the HAWC. The aerobics and spin classes will also be relocated during the construction.

The funds for these renovations are coming from the 56th Fighter Wing, the Air Education Training Command and the Air Force Personnel Center.

"These renovations will provide an upgraded venue to provide a sense of community for Airmen on base," Shaw said.