FSS gives back to Sabers

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany – Andrea Sprinkle, wife of U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brett Sprinkle from Austin, Texas, 52nd Maintenance Operations Squadron, purchases a candle windmill at Toni’s Gift Shop April 30, 2013. Toni’s Gift Shop has been relocated to the Saber Conference Center, previously titled the Wilkommen Center. The move is part of a renovation project funded through the Nonappropriated Fund Small Projects Program, which is money generated through sales at 52nd Force Support Squadron facilities versus tax-payer dollars. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Gustavo Castillo/Released)

FSS gives back to Sabers

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany – Jamie Smith browses cuckoo clocks inside Toni’s Gift Shop April 30, 2013. The move to the new Saber Conference Center allows for more foot traffic of guests, creating a community hub with the surrounding facilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Gustavo Castillo/Released)

FSS gives back to Sabers

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany – Bob Rosinbum, Eifel Community Center director from Seattle, positions a sign near a doorway at the Saber Conference Center May 8, 2013. The renaming of the conference rooms to titles such as the Viper Room, Warthog room, Phantom Room and Eagles Corner is a tribute Spangdahlem’s heritage.(U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Gustavo Castillo/Released)

FSS gives back to Sabers

SPANGDAHDLEM AIR BASE, Germany – Erich Kreiner, 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron sign painter, installs the new Saber Conference Center sign May 8, 2013. The Saber Conference Center is a focal point for new members when arriving to Spangdahlem due to it being the location of newcomer briefings. Creating the best look possible for the building is meant to give a positive first impression on all incoming Sabers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Gustavo Castillo/Released)

FSS gives back to Sabers

Published May 9, 2013
By Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Pomeroy
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- The Wilkommen Center is getting a facelift and a name change May 9, 2013.

The building will be renamed the Saber Conference Center, and the renovation includes the relocation of Toni's Gift Shop, an interior redesign of The Golden Dragon restaurant and new furniture for the Kuhl Beans coffee shop and the official renaming of the conference rooms.

The majority of the funding is part of the Nonappropriated Fund Small Projects Program headed by U.S. Air Forces Europe and the U.S. Air Force Services Directorate in conjunction with Spangdahlem AB to upgrade select 52nd Force Support Squadron facilities.

"The Golden Dragon renovation is a nonappropriated funded project through the Air Force Small Projects Program and the Air Force Services Directorate," said Tony Boob, 52nd FSS Community Services flight chief. "The Golden Dragon and Kuhl Beanz Coffee Shop make up the bulk of the renovations to the Saber Conference Center, so we are funding this through non-appropriated fund monies generated through sales at our FSS facilities versus using tax payer dollars. So, basically, we are using dollars generated by our troops going right back into their own local community."

The Saber Conference Center is a focal point for new members when arriving to Spangdahlem, so updating its appearance was a key focus when renovating the facility, he continued.

"A lot of times, the Saber Conference Center is the first impression folks get of Spangdahlem as it is the first place they visit for their newcomers briefings," Boob said. "We will bring a more professional look to this great facility, which is really like a community hub, and use our own rich heritage in the wing by naming our various conference rooms such as the Viper Room, Warthog Room, Phantom Room and Eagles Corner respectively."

In addition to the upgrades at the Saber Conference Center, Club Eifel has also seen a recent change. In January, the Club Eifel conference rooms were renamed Binsfeld, Landscheid, Wittlich and Speicher, honoring our German neighbors. The two ballrooms have been named the Eifel and Bitburg ballrooms. Also, the Saber Sports Lounge will be under renovations in the coming months to give a more updated look and feel to customers.

Sabers can expect to see these changes through the fall and into early spring of 2014.