NAS opens 'flagship' fitness center

08.08.2007
Troy Moon, Pensacola News Journal

PENSACOLA, FL – On Tuesday, a man carrying a sack of brand new basketballs traipsed down the sidewalk into the new building, past landscapers trimming grass and construction workers in hard hats. Behind him, a woman carrying a bag of volleyballs followed.

Today's a big day at Pensacola Naval Air Station — the grand opening of the Radford Fitness Center and Gymnasium. The $17.7 million facility replaces the old NAS gymnasium, which was destroyed by Hurricane Ivan in 2004.

"It's beautiful. It's a flagship facility," said Jay Yanovich, fitness director, as he walked through the 54,000-square-foot facility. "I can't wait to show it to our active duty military and our patrons. We're really excited about it."

The fitness center is just one of three major construction projects scheduled to open this year:

A new 35,000-square-foot Aviation Rescue Swimmer School is scheduled to open in late September at a cost of $12.1 million. The previous school was damaged by Ivan, sending training to various parts of the Air Station.

Two new visitors quarters complexes are scheduled to open in December. The complexes total 192,000 square feet and cost $50.7 million. The complexes will add 365 suites for visitors at NAS. About 400 rooms were destroyed by Ivan, said Jeannie Roush, deputy director of bachelor housing.

Currently, there are about 1,330 rooms for visitors, who include military and civilian personnel in various training commands at the base, as well as visiting family members and dignitaries.

Since Ivan destroyed the old gym — which was a converted aircraft hangar — military personnel looking for a workout have had to go elsewhere, including smaller gyms at area school commands, and the Portside Fitness Center and Gym, a much smaller facility than the new fitness center.

"I'm pumped. I've been watching it go up for a while now," said Navy Lt. j.g. Ian Hutter, 24, as he and a few buddies waited for a racquetball court at the Portside Fitness Center on Tuesday. "This place — through no fault of the people here — is always really crowded. It can get kind of frustrating."