Fitness center to offer 24-hour access

  • Published
  • By Brian Hagberg
  • 50th Space Wing Public Affairs
SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  The Schriever community will soon have a new avenue for maintaining health and fitness beginning Feb. 2.

After a nearly year-long study across six Air Force installations, Air Force Services has recently authorized an Air Force-wide implementation of unsupervised, 24-hour, 7-day a week access to base fitness center operations.

"Most installations will have to wait for their centrally-funded secure entry access systems," said Maj. Justin Long, 50th Force Support Squadron commander. "However, our leadership decided to fund the system locally, meaning members will have access almost a full year before the rest of the Air Force. The men and women of Schriever Air Force Base are our number 1 priority and we want to give them the best and highest quality service."

After-hours access is available to active duty, retirees and Reserve and Guard military members, Department of Defense civilians, Non-Appropriated Funds employees, contractors and dependents, 16 years of age or older. Dependents under 16 must be accompanied by their parent/legal guardian, and will have restricted access to the facility as outlined in Air Force Instruction 34-266 Table 1.1 (see sidebar), and youth under six are not permitted in the facility after hours.

"This is a huge quality of life improvement and I think it's going to vastly benefit the health and wellness of Schriever Air Force Base members," said Seth Cannello, Schriever sports and fitness manager. "There are rules participants will have to follow, and members with dependents will have to be extremely careful they know and comply with all age restrictions."

Cannello said he expects 24-hour access will be utilized most by 50th Security Forces Squadron members, the fire department and housing residents initially, but he hopes that everyone will take advantage of the access.

"I hope shift workers will come over and take advantage of the facility," he said.

Anyone wishing to have access to the fitness center after hours will need to register with the fitness center, sign a written notification acknowledging the rules and regulations, and sign an assumption of risk.

"I'm looking forward to this new program and I'm optimistic the base will appreciate the hard work that went into this quality of life initiative," Cannello said.

Here are some other guidelines that must be followed:

- Entry into the facility requires wingman accompaniment.  All registered patrons must swipe their Common Access Card, dependent ID or retiree card in order to enter the facility, and must enter with at least one other authorized user.

- All rooms and equipment will be available; however, towel and equipment issue services will not be provided.

- Patrons will need to supply their own racquetball equipment and must wear protective eye wear at all times.  Reservations will not be taken.  The gymnasium and racquetball court will operate on a first come, first served basis.    

- Patrons will be monitored by surveillance cameras at all times.  Patrons exhibiting any unsafe/reckless behavior, who enter unauthorized areas, do not provide appropriate youth supervision or violate any rule, will lose the privilege to work out after hours and could face Uniform Code of Military Justice action. 

Registration is now open. Anyone wishing to register for after-hours access may do so at the front desk at the fitness center. Patrons will need to have their CAC, retiree or dependent ID card with them to register.

For more information, contact the fitness center staff at 567-6628.