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Nothing spared in bowling center upgrade

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Malcolm Mayfield
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  The 90th Force Support Squadron, with help from the 90th Civil Engineer Squadron, is scheduled to finish their renovations of the base Bowling Center, Dec. 14.

Renovations on the facility began Nov. 30 and have been mostly a do-it-yourself project for the squadron, with the exception of highly technical and construction heavy additions.

Lisa Helton, 90th FSS Bowling Center manager, stated that there has been a need for new lanes as the equipment is nearing its shelf-life of 20 - 25 years and that the lanes weren't meant to last forever. She added how the bowling alley contributes to morale and that the update gives back to those who serve.

"We wanted to show the Airmen that we care," she said.

Improvements to the center include new bowling lanes, freshly painted walls, sports related decorations and various other additions.

As a bowler, Helton said she is excited for the upgrades and hopes the base populace will be also.

Lt. Col. Dave Olinger, 90th FSS commander, emphasized the importance of the facility not only because of the high-level of Airmen activity, but also because of what facilities like the bowling alley contribute to the base as a whole.

"The bowling center, over the last couple of fiscal years has done phenomenally," said Gabriel Laramie, 90th Force Support Squadron Community Services flight chief. "We take money earned put it back into the facility and invest back into the base. This helps the base expand, grow, and helps make it a more professional environment."

The renovations for the center were estimated to cost a contracting company $200,000, Olinger said. However, FSS has invested less than $10,000 due to the team effort and innovative ideas put forth by those involved. The $190,000 saved will go toward events for the Airmen, he added.

Airmen and families living on base have convenient access to a place to unwind, said Olinger. Also, the dorms are in walking distance making this a great option for our junior Airmen when it reopens.

"It will be a whole new bowling center," Laramie said.