JOINT BASE ANDREWS Md. –
The United States Air Force Personnel Center and the 11th Force Support Squadron are bringing the Team Andrews community together with the new Community Commons Project slated for completion early in 2015.
The new community commons will reduce operation cost by consolidating the Learning Resource Center [library], Information Tickets and Travel, or ITT, resources and the former Sports Page food operation.
"I became involved with the project in October 2013 when it was still in its infancy," Maj. Kelli Moon, 11th Force Support Squadron operation officer said. "We didn't really know what the building was going to be. We did know, however, there was a services transformation direction where the AFPC component wanted to have a one-stop shop for Joint Base Andrews patrons."
Recently, AFPC decided JBA and Canon Air Force Base will be the two test sites for the Community Commons Project - where people can visit to get information, congregate, relax and simply be themselves.
"Being in the National Capital Region and so close to the Pentagon, we are like the model base for the Air Force," Moon said. "We have to step up our game and look at new innovative ways to bring customers in. Within the last couple of months we have taken this to a whole new level. "
Feedback from base patrons is a cornerstone for the new initiative. Two food surveys have been distributed to base members to solicit input.
"Aside from the Air Force survey, [11th FSS] did a separate one to find out what people want," Moon stated. "The food operation used to just be a sports bar; we're trying to make this more of a family-oriented place and offer something you can't get anywhere else on base."
The feedback the unit received from patrons reflected a yearning for more healthy items without losing the ability to serve adult beverages in the evening, she said.
The building, which is next to the West Fitness Center and near the Jacob Smart Building, is convenient for getting a healthy snack before or after a workout, or catering special events. According to Cheryl Gritton library manager, the services within the building can integrate to bring the community together, as well as give new base members options for on and off base activities.
"We can now plan our programming with the ITT resources center," Gritton said. "For instance if our summer reading program is studying history, we can coordinate tours to museums in the surrounding area, and you can eat at the restaurant before or after the event."
Team Andrews families will also be able to take advantage of an expanded game room with up to 12 T.V. s and a variety of video game consoles. The computer room will be larger as well.
The new multi-purpose room can now divide three ways to accommodate large conferences. There will also be a coffee kiosk/smoothie bar and Wi-Fi throughout the building.
Leo VanWart, 11th FSS community support flight chief, is also charged with the responsibility of making the landscape of building 1442 a safe haven for members of the Armed Forces and their dependents.
"Our intention is for this to become a location of esprit de corps, meant to provide a morale boosting experience, VanWart said. I think the new name should reflect that; and base members should have a say in what to call it.
"Now's the time to let people know where we're at with this project," he said. "There is a dual purpose we are working toward - Building a community and taking care of the community."
For further questions regarding this base togetherness initiative, contact the 11th FSS office, (301) 981-9333.