Plans develop for new Airmen's center

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Rachel Martinez
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  Airmen will soon have a new place to relax in their off-duty time. 

The new Airmen's center, located in Building 1006, will be available to E-1 to E-4 Airmen and their spouses and is scheduled to open this summer. 

"After the Weasel's Den was completed there was an area for every demographic to use, except Airmen," said Ammie O'Grady, Mokuteki Community Center director. "We needed a place just for Airmen - they are the heart of the Air Force." 

Plans for the 16,000 square foot hangar include a movie theater, pool tables, a video game area and dance floor. The hangar will be furnished with overstuffed furniture and feature Wi-Fi Internet access. 

"It's going to be the coolest place on base to hang out," said Ms. O'Grady. "It's kind of like an Airman's club, community center and study area. It will be a place for Airmen to relax, unwind, hangout and find fellowship." 

"We want to use the facility for programs too, not as just a place to hang out," she added. "We'll have events like the community center does, but for Airmen only." 

Additional features being considered are a music area equipped with instruments and disc jockey equipment, a bouldering rock and karaoke machine. 

"We're shooting to make it [the Airmen's] facility," said Ms. O'Grady. "It's going to be an ongoing project where we are constantly trying to make it better. We want to keep them excited about this place. Our number one goal is to get them in here and keep them here." 

Part of keeping the Airmen excited about the new center involves getting the Airmen involved in the planning stages. The 35th Force Support Squadron is hosting an online survey on its Web site. They are asking Airmen to log-in and give their input. The survey asks about everything from entertainment options to hours of operation to suggested names for the center. More than 120 Airmen have already taken the survey. 

"We really take the time and read each one of the survey responses," said Terra Erb, 35th FSS marketing specialist. "We want the center to truly be what the Airmen want, but without their input we'd be left to guess." 

To help plan for the new space, Airmen were invited to an open house and planning session April 9. Airmen were shown the building and then sat down in a focus group to discuss how they would like to see the space used. More than 40 Airmen showed up for the open house, including Senior Airman Andrew Archuleta and his wife, Airman 1st Class Jenna Archuleta. 

"I'd like to see video and computer game tournaments for purely Airmen," Airman Andrew Archuleta said. "It was nice to have the opportunity to give input on these things." 

"I'm looking for some place fun to go with friends," added Airman Jenna Archuleta. "I want to see fun stuff in there, like pinball and rock climbing." 

Some topics discussed in the focus group included whether or not to serve alcohol and the center's hours of operation. 

"We're still looking at some things," said Ms. O'Grady. "We're trying to accommodate everyone. We have some obstacles but we're really blessed to have this space for the Airmen." 

Airmen who have not yet taken the survey can visit www.35FSS.com to do so. For more information on the Airmen's center, contact Ms. O'Grady at the Mokuteki Community Center at 226-4128. 

Airmen center layout aerial view