Team Goodfellow builds toward future, improves facilities

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Carissa Lee
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Thanks to the Texas congressional delegation, Goodfellow Air Force Base received funds that will greatly improve the quality of life and morale for the men and women of Team Goodfellow.

Perhaps the biggest and most noticeable change to Goodfellow is the privatization of family housing that will construct 239 new homes. Two-hundred twenty eight of those homes will be constructed in two phases, with 143 units constructed in the first phase on 101 acres donated by the city of San Angelo, and 11 homes will be constructed on base for key base leadership.

Since fitness is such a high priority in today's military, an expansion to the Mathis Fitness Center that was one of the base's top priorities is now a reality. The Texas congressional delegation successfully inserted this $5.8 million project into the president's budget that was authorized and approved for fiscal year '08.

The estimated construction completion date for this much-needed expansion is Fall '09. The proposed 20,000 square foot expansion will be to the south side of the gym and include tennis court relocations. multi-purpose room, a dedicated cardio room expanded, men's and women's locker rooms and additional administrative support areas, all of which will enable Goodfellow to comply with the Air Force's Fit-To-Fight standards.

Construction began on a new $4.8 million chapel center in December 2007 that was inserted into the president's fiscal year '06 budget by the Texas congressional delegation. The facility will provide a new 400-person sanctuary, additional chapel administrative offices and a 100-person fellowship hall with a kitchen. Located on the grounds of the former wing headquarters building, the estimated completion date for the new chapel is February 2009.

Taking care of military families is essential to ensuring each servicemembers' focus and readiness to take care of the mission. The addition of a new $2.4 million School-Age Facility on base will provide a state-of-the art educational and recreational facility for school-age children. The 7,250 square foot facility is located behind the Child Development Center and is more than 80 percent complete, with an expected completion date of April.

Providing better facilities is not only important for military members and their families, but also for the military working dogs of the 17th Security Forces Squadron. A new kennel is just about completed and will provide space for 8 military working dogs. The new 2,164 square foot facility will replace the old building, which will be reconfigured into administration and support areas. The new $785,000 kennel and administrative support facility is expected to be completed in early spring.

Also scheduled to be completed in the spring is the addition to the Skills Development Center. The $2.3 million expansion includes 4 new car bays, added to the current eight, and an additional 6,800 square feet for retail and craft working space.

All of these facilities, projects and expansions would not be possible without the assistance from our Texas congressional delegation who work hand in hand with Goodfellow AFB to ensure we have the best facilities and services in order to meet our training mission requirements.