Buckley opens new outdoor recreation facility

BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Col. Steven Muhs, former 460th Mission Support Group commander, along with Brittany Wood, Brian Spann, Anthony Fichera, Jay Danford and Ben Hoffman, members of the 460th Services Division, cut the ribbon to Buckley's new $2 million outdoor recreation facility June 6. The facility will help make more outdoor recreation programs and resources available. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jacque Lickteig)

Published June 8, 2007
By Senior Airman Jacque Lickteig
460th Space Wing Public Affairs

BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- After nine months of construction, Buckley's new $2 million outdoor recreation facility officially opened its doors during a ceremony June 6.

The new building will allow the 460th Services Division to offer more trips, more programs and more rental equipment to Buckley members.

"This building is an opportunity to take care of our people," said Mr. Dale Ruybal, 460th SVD community support flight chief.

The new building brings outdoor recreation services out of Mod 2, which had about 1,700 square feet, and into its own 8,788 square-foot home. The facility has a storage and maintenance room, display areas, a ski storage room, a resale shop area, a classroom, a customer service area and a lounge area.

"It really is a more welcoming environment," Outdoor Adventure Programs Director Mr. Anthony Fichera said. "It offers more comfort to the customer, and it will help our outdoor recreation staff members interact with customers better because we know they are there to see us."

Mr. Fichera said the extra space opens the ability to bring more outdoor recreation services to the base. They will be able to up their mountain bike fleet to 10 or 15 from their current six. They will also be able to hike their kayak fleet from five to 10 or 20. The extra space will also help them better maintain their fleet of 14 rental trailers.

Now that the building is open, outdoor recreation has many new services on the horizon. Eventually, they plan to have a rock-climbing wall in the building, a ski maintenance shop and education opportunities, such as a kayak instructional course and a swift-water rescue class, Mr. Fichera said.

"This is a much needed and anticipated facility, which will be the mecca for the Front Range when it comes to outdoor adventure programs," Mr. Ruybal said.