Tyndall Fitness Center raises the bar high

  • Published
  • By Jennifer Schneider
  • AFCEE Public Affairs
LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The fitness center at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., is the first Air Force building expected to achieve the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Platinum level.

The center, which opened in August, has impressed customers with its design features and amenities.

"The first thing we hear from our customers is 'Wow, this is awesome and it is so big and open!'" said Lou South, 325th Force Support Squadron fitness and sports director.

AFCEE project manager Ken Love agreed, saying "the response has been outstanding."

The 75,278-square-foot facility is ensuring base Airmen are "Fit to Fight," and boasts an 11,000-square-foot cardio and weight room, two full-size basketball courts, three racquetball courts, 8,000 square feet of aerobic rooms, children's area, health and wellness center and a massage therapist room.

The sustainable solutions integrated into this "green" fitness center run the gamut of proven and innovative technologies. Some of those features include alternative energy sources, high-efficiency cooling and heating systems, recycling of construction demolition materials, energy-efficient roofing system and permeable parking lot paving. The building was also constructed to withstand a Category 3 Hurricane with 130 mile-per-hour winds.

As a result of its energy-saving features, the center is projected to generate 40 percent less in typical annual energy costs and water consumption than a comparable facility. These long-term savings and the projected platinum LEED status can all be traced to efforts that began early in the design process and continued throughout construction, officials said.

"Throughout construction, close teamwork and coordination ensured that the project stayed on track and in compliance with LEED standards," said Brig. Gen. James Browne, 325th Fighter Wing commander, in a Tyndall AFB press release. "These facilities will, without a doubt, improve the quality of life for members of team Tyndall and their families."

Mr. Love said the center has set a standard for future military construction.

"I believe that every MILCON (military construction) project that AFCEE does should be able to be LEED Gold or better," Mr. Love said. "The Air Force is definitely going down the correct path in building energy efficient and sustainable facilities."