Quality of life enhancements made to old Fitness Center

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kristina Overton
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  To better meet the needs of the Malmstrom community, the 341st Missile Wing has recently implemented new initiatives to improve family quality of life to include a family fun zone, indoor parent- child area and an indoor re-ball area in the fitness center.

Due to the location of the base and the many months of sub-zero temperatures, many suggestions have been made by the Malmstrom community to have an indoor area where parents can come with their children to play and interact.
 
Likewise, paintball enthusiasts also requested a new facility to enjoy their sport year-round. Under the direction of the 341st Force Support Squadron, these new ideas were put into action.

"It's going to be a great place for families to go," said Kathy Desy, 341st Force Support Squadron Airman and Family Services flight chief. "There is so much stuff in there for children to do, and we definitely made a conscious effort to incorporate the ideas from children at the youth center and families on base to make it something they'd want to take care of and use again and again."

The family fun zone, located in the upper gym of the old fitness center, is an indoor entertainment play center where parents can bring their children to enjoy the recreational equipment and games.

The fun zone includes inflatable jumpers and obstacle courses, a dinosaur play area, giant chess and checkers, soccer and badminton. It is an adult-supervised area and all children must be accompanied and supervised by an adult at all times.

"The safety of the kids is first and foremost," Ms. Desy said, "so we must stress parental supervision. We want that environment to be fun and to be a place for parents to interact with their children. The success of this project is almost solely dependent on parental supervision."

The parent-child area was developed for the parents/guardians of children ages 6 months to 6 years, to be able to exercise while maintaining direct visual control over their child. The PCA is located on the main floor of the new fitness center. The area includes four cardio machines for adults to work out on. Parents may bring their choice of DVD's for their children to watch in the children's play area.

Prior to using either the family fun zone or the PCA, parents must meet with the fitness center staff for a policy briefing and sign a usage agreement. Once the agreement is signed, parents may use the area any time the fitness center is open.

Paintballers will also have access to the new re-ball area located in the lower gym of the old fitness center.

Re-ball is a 62-caliber round foam ball that can be shot through a standard paintball gun without the explosion of a paintball. The 50-foot long and 100-foot high arena provides a unique opportunity for guests to experience the thrill of playing the sport year round without the expense of buying paintballs.

"The re-ball arena is a pay - to - play area," said Tom Kiernan, Outdoor Recreation manager. "There will be a small fee charged."

The re-ball area will open Saturday, Dec. 12. Hours of operation after the opening will be Fridays from 3 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays are play by reservation only and will be available from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

"This is my second northern tier assignment and without question, the environment makes life challenging, especially for our families," said Col. John Patricola, 341st Mission Support Group commander. "I'm so proud of our wing leadership and our FSS leadership for getting us the funding to make these enhancements possible for our troops and their families."

For more information about the new quality of life enhancements, activities or events on Malmstrom or for hours of operation, visit 341fss.com or www.myairforcelife.com.

To make reservations or for any questions about the re-ball area, call 731-3263.