New Osan enlisted club experiences delays

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Stefanie Torres
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  The new Osan Air Base enlisted club, scheduled to open in April, ran into unexpected delays, pushing the opening further out into 2012.

The $17-million project flooded after a water main broke on a hill behind the club, requiring newly laid foundations to be repaired and tested earlier in the year.

"Between clean-up and testing to make sure the damage was not extensive," said Mark Maxfield, 51st Force Support Squadron deputy commander, "core samples had to be taken and cement had to be redone."

The flooding also came at a time when winter weather hindered construction, he explained.

"The flooding could not have come at a worse time construction-wise," he said. "The temperatures just made it really difficult to work with."

Not unlike many construction projects, the construction team saw shipping delays as well.

"We were waiting for a few items to be shipped from the States, such as kitchen equipment. We finally received them, and they are being installed," said Staff Sgt. Zachary Moen, 51st Civil Engineer Squadron construction inspector. "We expected a little bit of delay as we would with any construction project."

Despite the challenges, construction is still underway, and the club is scheduled to be open late fall or early winter 2012. After the club is handed over to the Air Force, it will take an additional three months to train staff and receive the furniture needed to make the facility a place where Airmen can enjoy their time.

"We need time to put all of the equipment in place and set everything up once we receive the facility," Maxfield said. "I liken it to buying a house. You have an empty shell, so you bring in all your furniture, unpack the boxes and set everything up. This is similar, but on a bigger scale."

The new facility is built to replace another enlisted club on base, the Challenger Club, which will be torn down. The newer one is larger and more modern, and most of the menu choices will stay the same.

There is a multi-purpose room that acts as a night club or venue for official functions and a dining area that is family friendly. The facility will also have pool tables, dart boards, foosball, a quiet lounge and a gaming area, explained Maxfield.

Although officers and enlisted Airmen alike can enjoy the dining opportunities, the facilities will be only for the enlisted afterward, he explained.

"I encourage everyone to check it out," he explained. "If you are a club member, there will be the same member benefits offered at this one as the others. It's a place for everyone at Team Osan."