Renovation to give privacy, extra comfort

  • Published
  • By Jasmine DeNamur
  • 919th SOW Public Affairs
DUKE FIELD, Fla. --  Reservists here will be pleasantly surprised with renovated facilities when they retire for the evening from their weekend duties next spring. 

For the future occupants in Building 3054, gone are the days of sharing bathrooms and adjusting to set temperatures. 

"The lodging buildings didn't meet Air Force standards, and to save the cost of sending guests to commercial hotels, it was decided that it would be in our best interest to renovate one of the lodging buildings," said Tech. Sergeant Christopher Eichler, wing facility manager. 

Members will now be able to enjoy their own bathroom with shower, individual climate control units and more space, said Myron Webb, wing lodging manager. 

There will also be two handicap accessible rooms and a business suite for colonels and above, chief master sergeants, and high ranking civilians, he said. 

Extra space, private bathrooms and temperature units are not the only major changes that will be made to the building. 

"Other crucial changes we needed to make are upgrades in electrical, plumbing and fire protection systems," said Mr. Webb. "An elevator and a standing seam metal roof will also be installed." 

Regardless of the renovations being made, the lodging rates will not change, but members will have to plan ahead if they want to stay the night, especially since the building will have 48 instead of 69 total guest rooms. 

Now that the building will meet Air Force standards, reservists will have to compete with other military travelers for reservations, with the exception of unit training assembly reservations, because they are booked in advance, said Mr. Webb. 

Building 3055 is still in use for lodging. There are no plans to renovate it at this time, though a request has been submitted to replace the entire building, he said. 

If that fails, as is what happened with Building 3054, renovation may then be considered, he said. 

Air Force Reserve Command is funding the project, costing about $5.5 million through contracted agencies, said Mr. Webb. 

"We hope our requests are approved, and we can provide reservists a more comfortable stay while they are performing their duties," he said.