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Installation Excellence funds spread around Keesler

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Stephan Coleman
  • 81st Training Wing Public Affairs
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  When Keesler received the Commander-in-Chief's Installation Excellence Award recognizing the most outstanding Air Force base for 2013, the prize included $1 million to invest in quality-of-life projects.

Most of the projects have been completed with a few to finish soon, and the investments can be seen across the base.

"We could have done anything," said Col. Mark Vivians, 81st Mission Support group commander. "We could have easily sunk it into base infrastructure. But because everyone won this, it needed to be visible, enjoyable by all, and include projects that typically wouldn't be funded under this fiscal climate."

"The whole idea was to have a visible showing of what we got for winning," said Vivians. "Many different people get to use the quality-of-life initiatives that the base earned." A SharePoint site was established in 2013 to generate project ideas for funding, said Lisa Campbell, 81st Force Support Squadron marketing director.

Ideas had to be set and contracted by the end of fiscal year 2013.They were discussed in the SharePoint forums and narrowed down by leadership to a list of 21 ideas, said Vivians.

"Everyone knows we received a million dollars," said Vivians. "They know the big ticket items like the track, the splash pad and maybe the batting cages. But there are very few that know about all of the upgrades."

The I-81 track got five layers of professional-grade rubberized coating and was completed last year as the first step of the awarded projects. The splash pad, which is being constructed now, will be similar to the one in base housing.

"For more recreation," said Vivians, "a paint ball park will be open for business May 2 through the 81st Force Support Squadron and located near the commissary. Batting cages are located on Ploesti Drive near the pool. They are free and have all the equipment inside for use by anyone. And on the second floor of the Dragon Fitness Center, the aerobics flooring was redone from carpet to rubberized coating."

Additionally, the youth center and chapel received upgrades for patrons, including games and televisions.

A few other projects were approved in the name of maintenance.

The wetlands mainland cut is a bi-annual cleaning of the wetlands on base that needed funding. Similarly, behind housing are docks that are open to all, but the area is often marshy, so concrete paths were built.

Lighting and fencing were also updated in the 81st Training Group.

"Security concerns were alleviated with the addition of more lighting in the Triangle," said Vivians. "And fencing was added to a recreation area to stop volleyballs and basketballs from entering the street."



Projects include:
  • Rubberized I-81 -- Complete
  • Marina splash pad -- Awarded Nov. 14
  • Refurbish TRG softball bleachers -- Complete
  • Paintball park -- open to customers May 2
  • TRG student batting cages -- Complete
  • Dragon wooden' aerobic room floor -- Complete
  • Wetlands Maintenance/Cut -- Complete
  • Walkways to the docks -- Complete
  • Upgrade Youth Center fields and bleachers -- Awarded Oct. 23
  • Youth Center sporting goods, toys, and games -- Complete
  • Chapel upgrades -- Purchased
  • Dorms (fence & lighting) -- Complete
  • Dorms (wardrobes) -- Complete
  • Retiree newsletters -- Complete
  • DFAC menu boards -- Complete
  • Holiday in the Park light upgrades -- Purchased
     
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