Sabers receive new gym floor

Published Oct. 5, 2009
By Master Sgt. Bill Gomez
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- The Skelton Memorial Fitness Center completed a renovation of the main gymnasium floor Oct. 1 and is ready for use.

The old, wooden gym floor was approximately 12 to 15 years old and in dire need of replacing, according to Mark Geairn, fitness center director. The fitness center facility itself is 57 years old and its gym floor has experienced warp damage due to humidity, ceiling leakage, wood expansion and contraction. Money was spent before to refinish the floors, but the continual warping was beyond repair.

A bid to replace the gym floor was submitted in 2006 for a more cost-effective synthetic floor, and the funding was received through the civil engineer squadron this year. The renovation began 60-days ago and is now complete.

Though the new floor is less expensive than a wooden floor, $150,000 as opposed to $500,000, the new floor is just as durable and easier to keep clean. It provides an equal amount of support and the cushion rate is also equal to that of a wood floor.

A brand new fitness center is in the works to open in 2012, but the new gym floor will remain open when the new facility opens, Mr. Geairn said.

The gym floor can accommodate up to two 2,000 people and is used in various ways.

It not only provides squadrons a place to conduct physical training, but it also hosts intramural and varsity sports. Bitburg High School uses the floor for various sporting events to include wrestling, basketball and volleyball.

Aside from sports, the floor serves as a meeting place to host special Armed Forces entertainment events. Tops in Blue, musical bands like Lieutenant Dan Band with Gary Sinise and Blues Traveler, and comedy teams have all performed there.

Also, Wing commander's calls and blood drives are routinely scheduled there, along with serving as a staging area for mass vaccinations if needed.

"It is very exciting to have a new floor to take care of the customers," added Mr. Geairn.

The new gym floor can be reserved for events by calling the Skelton Memorial Fitness Center at DSN 452-6634.

Fitness center receives new gym floor