Fitness center changes hours of operation

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Colby L. Hardin
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Beginning June 1, the fitness center here will be available 24/7.

The weight room and auxiliary gym will remain open while the staff are off duty, and the rest of the gym will have reduced hours.

The new hours of operation are, Monday through Thursday 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on weekends and holidays it will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

"We had to shorten the hours of the gym due to a new Air Force instruction," said Bill Hageman, 22nd Force Support Squadron fitness center director. "It has to do with manning all over the Air Force and hopefully this change helps mitigate the under-manning throughout the squadron."

During unstaffed hours, patrons will enter the fitness center by scanning their common access card. In order to do this, members and dependents need to register their CAC at the fitness center front desk during normal hours of operation.

Approximately 50 Air Force bases are set to have 24 hour fitness centers by the end of summer said Hageman.

"This allows our members to workout at their convenience no matter what their work schedule is." Hageman added.

Shift workers will benefit most from the change in the fitness center schedule.

"It's good for us because we don't have to worry about losing sleep to go workout," said Senior Airman Sonny Negre, 22nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron mid-shift communication and navigation systems journeyman. "It's good to know that we don't have to rush to try to make it to the gym before it closes."

Although the flightline does provide a workout room for maintenance workers to use, the fitness center has more equipment and space.

"It's not as crowded during these times," said Negre. "Being able to go at the odd hours, I can use any of the equipment that I want without waiting."

"This works out great for us," added Hageman. "It's also great for our customers, so far everyone who has registered seems really excited about it."

For more information about registering and the new fitness center hours, contact the fitness center at (316)759-4009.