News

After-hours fitness now available at the Offutt Field House

  • Published
  • By By Josh Plueger
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs

A solitary brown door, just west of the Offutt Field House’s main entrance, opens into the new after-hours fitness facility available to all registered common access card holders, retirees and dependents ages 19 and up. 

Col. Marty Reynolds, 55th Wing commander, joined field house staff members at a ribbon-cutting ceremony July 7 to recognize the opening of the after-hours facility.

Seeing a need to offer access to the facilities beyond normal operating hours, fitness staff members began a four-month effort to transform what was originally the Fitness Assessment Cell section of the field house into a secured, after-hours gym.

There was a demand from units such as security forces and maintenance squadrons, as well as others who work unconventional shifts,” said 2nd Lt. Cristina Dalida, the officer in charge of fitness and recreation. “The space allows these members to stay fit to fight by allowing them to work out on their down time.” 

In total, the self-help construction project netted $14,200 in saving versus hiring a contractor.  Field house staff spent more than 600 man hours to make the facility a reality.

"Coming in on our off days and just getting down to the detail, we enjoyed putting this room together knowing that someone would appreciate our hard work.” said Senior Airman Jamel LeBranch, with the 55th Force Support Squadron.  “This wasn’t easy when you add our normal maintenance job duties, but in the end it’s all worth it, knowing that we have improved the fitness opportunities for all airmen on base.”

The 1,002 square-foot gym contains a combination of cardio machines, free weights, rubber padded floors, television and has access to the locker rooms and emergency medical equipment.

“The genesis of the concept is to provide 24/7 fitness access across all bases as physical fitness is critical to maintaining standards and boosting resiliency,” Dalida said.  “With the field house being the largest fitness center in the Department of Defense we could not allow patrons to utilize the entire space as is possible elsewhere; this led to the staff devising an after- hours facility, allowing us to secure the field house while addressing a need for many members.”

    

The after-hours gyms aligns with the Air Force’s total fitness ethos of maintaining a healthy lifestyle which results in increased productivity and a higher level of readiness in Airmen.

The demand for the facility is evident as fitness patron have already started signing up to gain access.

  

“I've seen a fair amount of interest in the after-hours fitness facility and as of July 8, I have personally registered around 25 people,” said Staff Sgt. Christopher Cox, with the 55th Force Support Squadron.  “Our registration numbers as a whole are sitting around 80 people as of today.”

    

To gain access to the after-hours gym, patrons need to visit the field house front desk to register their CAC.  For those qualifying members without a CAC card, an access card can be provided.  The after-hours gym will be open Monday-Friday from 11:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., weekends from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. and holidays and family day from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m.  For further details visit offutt55fss.com/offutt-field-house/