YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — The Taiyo Recreation Center soon will be fully functional again.
The facility has been partially closed since early April for renovations, which included a standard asbestos abatement that takes place during any major building overhaul at Yokota.
The building also received new carpeting and paint.
The Taiyo’s classes and Thrift Shop remained open throughout the project. The Missoula Children’s Theater was scheduled to stage “Jack and the Beanstalk” there Friday night after a week of auditions and rehearsals.
A grand reopening of the West Side Deli, shut down during the restoration, is set for Aug. 14. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Aug. 18, customers who purchase a lunch entrée receive a free dessert.
The 47,000-square-foot Taiyo Recreation Center is among the largest facilities at Yokota. It’s used for a variety of functions, including dance and drama classes, shows, concerts, formal dinners and special heritage days.
“The Yokota community will have one of the finest facilities in the Air Force for their use,” said Robert McFall, the 374th Services Division’s chief of family services.
Capt. Yasir Archbold of the 374th Civil Engineer Squadron said the project’s final cost was more than $260,000.
The Taiyo is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. It’s closed Sundays and holidays.
