New enlisted club rejuvenates Osan spirit Published Jan. 20, 2012 By Airman 1st Class Michael Battles 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- In recent month's members of the 51st Civil Engineer Squadron have been working with Korean contractors to construct a state-of-the-art enlisted club facility at Osan Air Base. The facility, which costs an estimated $13 million, will be the last club built solely for enlisted service members in the Air Force. "The configuration for most bases for clubs these days are co-located or consolidated clubs" said Mark Maxfield, 51st Force Support Squadron deputy commander. "I don't know how many more clubs will be built ... across the Air Force, but if they are built they'll probably be in the co-located or consolidated club configuration." Construction for the new facility broke ground in the summer of 2009 with plans to finish by around April 2012. "The facility will hopefully be turned over in April to FSS, but then they need to take care of equipment and staffing," said Senior Airman Zachary Moen, 51st Civil Engineer Squadron construction inspector. The 25,000 square feet of entertainment real estate will feature a multi-purpose ballroom that can host nearly 600 individuals, a variety of bar areas, restaurants and slot machines. The facility will also have a modern lighting and sound system for a an array of events. "Besides your military type functions that you have here, we hope this keeps some Airmen on base by offering them something a little different," Maxfield said. The new facility is part of enhancing base quality of life built completely on non-appropriated funds , he said. Non-appropriated funds are another name for Airman's dollars, he said. The funds come from force support facilities, he said. Once the staff has been paid or any outstanding debts have been paid off the money remaining is invested into the base. The new enlisted club will replace the Challenger Club, which has been open since the 1950's and is scheduled for demolition this year. A name for the new club will be decided as the facility comes closer to completion.