Path to Chisholm Trail nears re-opening Published Oct. 8, 2009 By Senior Airmen Jessica Lockoski 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- There is one thing the Kansas Chisholm Trail and the Chisholm Trail dining facility here have in common, they've both moved a lot of beef. Just as the trail guided herds of cattle to the Kansas railways, the dining facility will soon herd crowds of food-seeking Airmen once it reopens after months of renovation. "Enlisted Airmen should be able to enjoy the facility by early November," said Maj. Colin Huckins, 22nd Force Support Squadron commander. Construction started cooking back in January. After the project wraps up, Airmen will again dine among the rustic Midwestern décor and enjoy the view of grassy plains through the facility's windowscapes as they eat. The major said the dining facility needed updating after daily use, proper cleaning and maintenance. Airmen can continue to have a professional place to hang out while enjoying the atmosphere, he said. The renovation project costs around $1,617,000. Airmen were moved to the converted Rendezvous Café in the Robert J. Dole Center for meals. Facility staff members also made the transition but are now anxious to get back to work at Chisholm Trail. "We are 100 percent ready to move back," said Barbara Walters, the dining facility morning shift-supervisor. The major said people won't be able to see a lot of the money spent for upgrades because it was used back in the kitchen area. The facility's heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, kitchen exhaust fans and grill hoods were also replaced. "New equipment will help allow facility staff to do bigger and better things as they prepare meals for Airmen," he said. Walters said water from the HVAC system was leaking in different areas around the facility and it was difficult to always keep those areas clean. At times, the building was too hot or cold, making it unpleasant for workers and customers, she said. She said ovens weren't working properly, and the grill would periodically turn off. But, with additional funding, these problems are now being addressed. In addition to construction costs, additional quality-of-life funds will replace outdated kitchen equipment, said Tech. Sgt. Yolanda Schafer, 22nd FSS food service section chief. The sergeant said older ovens aren't calibrated for cooking as most major appliances in the kitchen are more than nine years old. Planned upgrades to the kitchen will include grills and commercial stove ranges, energy-efficient dishwashers and double-stack ovens. "One thing most obvious to Airmen when they walk into the Chisholm Trail is retiling in the food serving areas," said the major. "It's bright, clean and looks like a world-class facility. There are also new remodeling layouts in the customer restrooms." Currently the converted dining facility hosts the regular Chisholm Trail customers, consisting of enlisted Airmen and meal card holders. Officers and DoD employees have been temporarily allowed to eat there as well. When the facility re-opens next month and its intended customers can eat there again, it doesn't mean other diners looking for a meal will go hungry. Major Huckins said there are plans to move Debbie's Snack Bar and Grill, located at the former golf course clubhouse, to the Dole Center around the same time the Chisholm Trail re-opens. He said the new restaurant will provide food for everyone on base; the transition is meant to be seamless. Whether Airmen prefer burgers, briskets, sirloin steaks or ribs, beef will soon be moving along the Chisholm Trail once again.