Exchange receives facelift

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jose L. Leon
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  After 18 months of renovations, McConnell's Base Exchange held its ribbon cutting ceremony Feb. 29, 2012.

With over $8 million spent on the renovations, the building size increased by approximately 25 percent.

McConnell's Army and Air Force Exchange Service is one of the oldest exchange facilities and needed a facelift, said Maryann Bishop, McConnell AAFES general manager.

"[The renovation] was a long time coming," said Sally Molnar, Exchange main store manager.

Additions to the building include a food court with two food choices, Anthony's Pizza and Charlie's Grilled Subs, and a wider corridor between the food court and main store that allows for more independent vendors.

There have been positive comments from all customers, especially about the extended hours at the food court, which is now open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., said Molnar.

Inside the main store, the existing departments were expanded and new sections were built, such as sporting goods.

With a wider selection of merchandise now offered at the Exchange, "I can come on base and get a much better deal," said Senior Airman Richard Christensen, 22nd Air Refueling Wing Honor Guard member.

In addition to simply adding more square footage, the building received eco-friendly upgrades.

Sensors were installed to automatically turn on and off overhead lights, all lights were replaced with high-efficiency bulbs; the heating and cooling system are set to a schedule to conserve energy while the store is closed; and the main store and outdoor lighting systems turn on 10 minutes prior to store opening and 15 minutes after scheduled closing, said Molnar.

Outside updates include more general public parking spaces as well as a relocation and increase of handicap parking spaces available. With the old lot design, handicap parking spaces were placed in the middle of the lot. Now, the spaces are split between the east and west sides of the lot. This placement puts them directly next to wheelchair accessible sidewalks.

For more information about the McConnell Exchange, call (316) 685-0233.