Field House track among upcoming upgrades Published Nov. 9, 2015 By Staff Sgt. Rachelle Blake 55th Wing Public Affairs OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- The Offutt Field House is slated to undergo several upgrades over the next few months making the facility a safer and improved location for members of Team Offutt to maintain their fitness. The biggest of the changes is to the indoor track. Construction is scheduled to begin Nov. 23 and conclude in late March. "Not only will we receive a new and higher quality running surface, it will also be expanded from eight feet-wide to 10 feet-wide, providing greater capacity and a needed upgrade," said Col. Marty Reynolds, the commander of the 55th Wing. "We realize this impacts individuals and unit PT programs, but we have a significant number of treadmills, elliptical trainers and bikes to provide options for cardio training." The construction also plays a role on service member's aerobic fitness testing. "With regard to U.S. Air Force fitness testing, we now have approval to use the parade ground track and Butler Boulevard from building 160, the 55th Security Forces Squadron facility, to the back gate, and the indoor soccer pitch for the cardio portion," said Maj. Ryan Stebbins, the commander of the 55th Force Support Squadron. "We are putting on a full-court press to ensure folks are aware." To some, the upgrades may seem inconvenient, but the end product is expected to be well worth it. "Obviously, this is not ideal, but we do not want to pass up the opportunity for needed track upgrades in this fiscally constrained environment," said Reynolds. "In the end, the track will better Team Offutt; we only ask for patience and support as we shepherd this project to completion." Also among the renovations will be repairs to shower plumbing in the women's locker room from Nov. 16 - 20. During this time, women will use the downstairs men's locker and men will utilize the upstairs locker room. Signs will be posted on the doors as a reminder. Lastly, the field house will be replacing existing overhead lights with LED fixtures from Nov. 23 through Jan. The maintenance will begin at the soccer pitch and work its way outwards. For more information contact, the field house front desk at (402) 294-5413.