Buckley lodging will open...eventually

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. J. LaVoie
  • 460th Space Wing Public Affairs
Due to a series of needed design corrections, though a building is standing, construction is not yet finished.

Several modifications to the roof, and plumbing had to occur for the building to survive Colorado's cold winter weather. Already, though the building is heated, there have been several instances of frozen pipes, including in the fire suppression system. These issues are being corrected and will not be a concern when the operation opens.

"Fixing it is one thing, but correcting the problems throughout the building is another," said Joshua Coleman, 460th Force Support Squadron lodging manager. "The corrections are under contract, and being corrected now. ."

He added that if the 460th Space Wing had accepted the building before the items were fixed, the cost of repairing them would have come out of the base budget, and it still would not be open.

"We didn't want to accept a broken building," said Mr. Coleman. "[This decision] saved Buckley and Air Force Space Command money and time."

According to Mr. Coleman, both North Dakota and Idaho used this Air Force approved design, and also have had to correct freezing problems.

"We are ensuring we are providing an excellent product for the Airmen and the Buckley community," he said. "It is an excellent place, and when it is up and running, it will be a beautiful facility, a top notch operation and a great product to offer our Airmen!"

460th FSS officials do not want to speculate on an opening date at this time, as to not disappoint customers who may make plans based on the estimation. The hope is to open sometime late 2011.