JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
Calling all weight lifters, cardio enthusiasts and physical-fitness adrenaline junkies on the east side of Andrews, the newly renovated East Fitness Center opened for business July 23.
It took eight months to complete the renovations at the EFC at building 3705 on Fetchett Avenue.
"A lot has changed in the East Fitness Center," said Airman 1st Class Joey Carfagno, 11th Logistics Readiness Squadron logistics planner. "The lobby is now centered in front of the entrance to greet and sign in patrons as they arrive. The weight room has new flooring, new weight-lifting equipment and new Rogue tactical weights. The basketball floor has been resurfaced and the hoops are now suspended from the ceiling."
In addition, there are new bleachers, both racquetball courts have new lighting and walls, and the court floors have been resurfaced. The office areas are new and there will be a lounge area with a TV coming soon.
"There are two projects being implemented to renovate the East Fitness Center," said Suba Saty, West Fitness Center director. "The first project of overhauling the facility is complete. The completion of the second project is by far the coolest part of the renovations. The EFC will now have an HVAC system."
Prior to the renovations there was no air conditioning in the East Fitness Center, which is more than 55 years old.
With all of the major EFC renovations complete, service members working on the east side of Andrews finally have the convenient location to get fit.
"It's great the gym is open and east-side folks have a place to work out again," said Navy Cmdr. Mike Graben, chief staff officer for Naval Facility Washington. "It's good for the base."
Team Andrews members on the east side can also use the outdoor new EFC ¼ mile Track.
Before taking a couple of laps around the new track, Ann Carlson and Senior Master Sgt. David Bennet, who work at the Air National Guard Readiness Center on the east side of Andrews, said the track is a great asset to have on the east side.
The Navy has already begun utilizing the EFC track to conduct Physical Readiness Tests.
"Service members located on the east side won't have to come all the way to the west side of base to get in a good work out," said Saty. "We strive for the betterment of our facilities to provide the best for our patrons."
The EFC is open Monday-Friday from 6am - 6pm. For further information about the East Fitness Center, call 301-981-7001 or visit the
Andrews AFB fitness Center Facebook page.