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Minneapolis opens new joint fitness center

  • Published
  • By Christina Oxtra
  • 934 SVS
MINNEAPOLIS --  When it opened for business Sept. 4, the new and improved fitness center dazzled everyone who stepped inside.

Dale Prell, assistant chief of Air Force Reserve Command Services, along with other AFRC representatives, local civic leaders and members of the 934th Airlift Wing attended the center's ribbon cutting ceremony Sept. 6.

"The new fitness center is a great facility, one of the best in the command," Mr. Prell said.

He added that the center gives people who work at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Air Reserve Station "the facility they deserve." More than 7,000 patrons from all services on base are eligible to use the fitness center.

At the open house Sept. 7, an estimated 135 visitors toured the facility, received giveaways and enjoyed free drinks and snacks. Some got a free massage from the center's masseuse. The fitness center staff and a company representative were on hand to show visitors how to use the new equipment.

Everyone marveled at what they saw.

"The new fitness center is beautiful. The machines are great and the new treadmills have fans," exclaimed Janell Harwell of 934th Communication Flight.

"I know that sounds silly, but they're really nice when you're working out," she added. "I love the new gymnasium and the large locker rooms."

The new 24,000-square-foot fitness center is on the same site as the old facility but is more than three times as large.

At a cost of $4.7 million, the new center houses state-of-the-art cardio and weight training machines, flat-screen televisions in the cardio/weight room, free weights, an NCAA-sized basketball court with bleachers, a resurfaced racquetball court, more locker room space and additional showers.

"This fitness center is on par or better than any off base facility I've ever seen...period," said Col. Tim Tarchick, 934th AW commander.

Fitness center manager Ronna Puck said the fitness facility has come a long way, and she and her staff are proud of what it has become today.

"I have been working in morale, welfare and recreation, then services as a reservist and as a civilian since 1985," said Ms. Puck. "Back then, we had a small office space, two softball fields, a tennis court and played volleyball in a hangar when there weren't any planes in it. We only had MWR events during unit training assemblies.

Ms. Puck said the air reserve station didn't get a fitness facility until 1999, and it was small.

"It is really satisfying to me to finally give our military members and their families, retirees and civilians a facility that can meet their needs, and for me and my staff to be able to work in a facility that has everything we need to utilize our skills and training," she said.

The fitness center staff plans to offer indoor (spinning) cycling, group circuit training, aerobics, martial arts, core exercise, basketball, volleyball and racquetball competitions and intramural sports.

A multipurpose room will serve health and wellness classes, such as weight loss, smoking cessation and training for the Air Force Fit to Fight program. Personal fitness training as well as Swedish, sports and rehabilitative massages will be available by appointment. (Air Force Reserve Command News Service)