A pre-opening tour gives an upper-level view of the Freedom Fitness Facility basketball court, which is more than twice the size of the court in the community’s old JFK gym. (Rick Emert / S&S)
BAMBERG, Germany — Warner Barracks’ new $17.6 million gym opens Monday after nearly two years of construction.
The Freedom Fitness Facility, which replaces the post’s 52-year-old JFK Gym, boasts some of the latest in exercise equipment.
It has spin machines, elliptical machines and high-tech exercise bikes — as well as more than two dozen treadmills. It has separate weightlifting areas for Nautilus machines and free weights.
The basketball court is nearly twice the size of the court in the JFK Gym, and there is an indoor running track on the second floor.
The gym also has a cappuccino and juice bar in the lobby and a lounge on the second floor to serve as a rest area or meeting place for workout buddies.
“The overall quality of this facility is much better [than the JFK Gym],” said Lt. Col. Daniel Thomas, 279th Base Support Battalion commander. “The equipment is all new and there is more of it.”
But, the larger facility also will take more effort to staff and maintain, Thomas said.
“People from the community have said they are impressed and thrilled with the new facility,” he said. “But we all recognize that it’s going to be a challenge, since it’s not what we’re used to. It is important that everybody who uses the new gym and the new equipment strives to keep it nice.”
Units have promised to provide soldiers to help staff the gym, which is expected to draw more people since the abundance of equipment will eliminate waiting lines on things like treadmills, Thomas said.
The BSB held tours of the new gym throughout the week, including ones for commanders and first sergeants, civilian employees, the local national work force and a community tour on Thursday that had more than 50 people “oohing” and “aahing” over the facility’s modern design and new equipment.
“I think it’s wonderful. It’s the best gym I’ve seen on a military installation,” said Sandi Cox, a family member from 1st Battalion, 33rd Field Artillery Regiment who attended the community tour.
“They did a really good job on it. I think it will motivate me to get back into the gym and start exercising.”
A variety of events will mark the opening week of the gym, including:
Monday: a bench press competition at 5:30 p.m.Tuesday: Dodge ball tournament, team meeting begins at 5:30 p.m.Wednesday: 5K run, registration from 5-6:30 a.m.Thursday: Cardio Challenge from noon to 6 p.m.Friday: German/American Basketball Extravaganza beginning at 3 p.m.Work on the facility began in March 2003 and was expected to be completed in August, but was delayed due to other construction projects in the area, according to David Thompson, director of Public Works for the 279th BSB.
