New River Air Station aims to complete 22 renovation projects this ...

Officials at New River Air Station are preparing to break ground on what will become the largest single structure in the Marine Corps.

While massive vertical construction projects aboard nearby Camp Lejeune have grabbed headlines, the air station has quietly embarked on a series of innovative and expansive projects of its own, including a $140 million mega-hangar designed to hold four squadrons and more than $25 million in assorted projects designed to improve quality of life for troops and dependents.

Doss Comer, facilities manager for New River, said the mega-hangar, which will house four V-22 Osprey squadrons from Marine Aircraft Group-29, will be large enough to accommodate even the massive C-130 Hercules.

The project will accommodate the relocation to New River of two squadrons, HMLA-467 and HMH-366, currently being housed aboard Cherry Point. Among other features, the mammoth hangar will include a 50-acre parking apron, a state-of-the-art four-story parking garage with over 1,200 spaces, photovoltaic roof panels and features for electric and compact vehicles.

Slated for completion in June 2014, the project represents more than record-setting size, Comer said.

?Once the mega-hangar?s complete, and the two squadrons are here from Cherry Point, we?ll have almost 58 percent of the (2nd Marine Aircraft Wing) here at New River,? he said.

And with those squadrons will come about 750 additional troops, increasing the air station?s military population by 10 percent before dependents are counted. Officials estimate that traffic to the New River Main Gate will increase by 10,000 vehicles a month.

But by the time the new troops and families arrive, planners say the air station will be transformed.

?If you come on this base Labor Day weekend, you will not recognize this base,? New River?s Semper Fit director, Richard Cole said.

Underway are 23 individual projects designed to improve life and recreation at the air station; 22 are slated to be complete by the end of this year.

The ?diamond? of the bunch, Cole said, is a $14 million, 47,000 square foot gymnasium and fitness center that will give New River its first Olympic-size indoor swimming pool and a host of premium facilities and equipment.

Behind the fitness center, an ASA nationally certified softball field will be installed and nearby existing fields will get a top-grade makeover and renovation; another project will install energy-efficient lighting that will make a surrounding running trail 24-hour accessible.

With belt-tightening and budget cuts imminent in the Defense Department, Cole said New River officials were able to land these projects nonetheless thanks to strong planning and preparation.

?We?ve been able to collaborate, put everything in the hopper and have it ready,? he said. ?When the money became available, we were one of the commands that were ready to do it. Quite frankly, we were actually the first command to be able to submit all its projects.?

A favorite project is an extensive renovation of the marina aboard the air station, which will include the gutting and renovation of the existing community center, with improved retail space and room for functions from conferences to weddings; a new adult fitness center; and a 4,000 square foot recreation gear issue facility where base residents can pick up gear for water sports, boating, and more, all due for completion in May.

?We can have a one-stop shopping area for people to come out,? Cole said, noting that the Marina was a favorite spot of New River commanding officer Col. Jeffrey Hewlett.

Unconventionally, construction plans also include a brand-new skate park, expected to open this spring and designed to be the largest facility of its kind in Eastern North Carolina, Cole said.

?We?re looking to enhance the opportunities for our Marines to do more high-adventure activities, and skateboarding is considered that,? he said. ?...Those high-adventure, adrenaline-rush type programs are things we?re trying to focus on, because the Marines coming back from overseas and the war situation that transition back to normality, these high-adventure programs help them make that step down. It?s helping them physically, psychologically.?

Cole said the park would be available to Marines and to base youth, and would be designed to host competitions.

Just a few of the other upcoming projects include an indoor shooting range, extended renovations to the air station bowling alley and theater lobby area, a child development center expansion, and improvements to the Camp Geiger entry road designed to alleviate commuter traffic congestion.

While officials said facility closures and construction hassles during the building process would be a present inconvenience for air station residents, they said the projects represented a bright future for the air station.

?It?s a great improvement to what we?ve had in the past,? Comer said. ?I?ve been around here about 30 years, and this is the biggest boom in construction I?ve personally seen.?

Contact military reporter Hope Hodge at 910-219-8453 or hhodge@freedomenc.com.

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Going up at New River Air Station

Mega-hangar

$140 million

1,300 feet long and 160 feet deep

Will house four V-22 squadrons

When finished, will be the largest structure in the Marine Corps

Expected completion date: June 2014

?

Fitness center

$14 million

47,000 square feet

LEED Gold certification

Olympic-size swimming pool

Expected completion date: May 2012

Youth sports complex renovation

Replaces existing softball fields and little league fields

Renovations including removing sod, laser-grading, irrigation resign and installation, and infield reconstruction

ASA nationally certified softball field.

Expected completion date: October 2012

?

Marina renovation project

Renovate facility to include rooms for events and functions

Enhance retail sales area

Add another 2,000 square feet of enclosed usable space

Build 4,000 square foot consolidated gear issue recreation warehouse

Expected completion date: May 2012

?

Skate park

Will be largest skate park in Eastern North Carolina when complete

Facilities and ramps for in-line skating and skateboarding

Designed to host tournament events and competitions

Intended to fulfill request of young Marines and base youth for high-adventure recreation activities

Expected completion date: May 2012

Source: http://www.jdnews.com/articles/-101286--.html

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