Dyess renovation creates jobs for local community

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jonathan Stefanko
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The Dyess Fitness Center launched a $680,000 shower renovation in February 2012 led by Senior Airman Chad Koetter, 7th Contracting Squadron, and is expected to be completed no later than January 2013. The renovations have provided jobs to the Abilene community by subcontracting local businesses.

"We are using four of the subcontractors on base to provide us with tile workers, concrete workers and so on from the Abilene community," Koetter said. "As the project progresses we will have all sorts of job classifications working with us providing over 25 jobs to the Abilene community."

The one-year project consists of upgrading showers and saunas in the male, female and distinguished visitor locker rooms.

"The floor and plumbing will be replaced, fixing any drainage issues, as well as new shower curtains and fixtures," Koetter said. "The saunas will also be gutted and completely refurnished with new elements and anything else that needs to be replaced."

Not only will the showers have a new look, but will also solve previous hazards.

"The original plumbing under the floor was not built correctly causing water to be stagnant, which allowed mold to build," Koetter said. "But part of the renovations will be creating a sloped floor so the water drains properly eliminating any hazards."