This is your club

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jarad A. Denton
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  The Dakota's Club Advisory Committee held a meeting, April 19 in an effort to improve and revitalize the club on base.

Committee members discussed everything from the recently upgraded menu to the possibility of purchasing a flat screen television for the enlisted lounge.

"The club is about everyone who comes in and uses it - both as members and participants," said 2nd Lt. Joseph Andersen, 28th Force Support Squadron food service officer overseeing club operations. "All of the upgrades have been for the Airmen to make the most of."

Since April 1, approximately 75 percent of food orders have been new items of the upgraded menu. Lieutenant Andersen said the increase in menu sales and event participation is due, in large part, to the organizations on base who support the club.

"The spouses on base have got it figured out," said Col. Trent Edwards, 28th Mission Support Group commander. "They advertise the event, send out invitations and people show up."

During "Ellsworth's Got Talent" the club expected 40 people to show up. However, due in part to advertisement by the Ellsworth AFB Spouses Facebook page, 175 people showed up at the door.

"These events have been successful because of the groups who take ownership of them," Lieutenant Andersen said. "People want to come out where their friends are - we want that place to be Dakota's."

Another reason for the new events and increased advertising has been to improve club membership and drive sales.

Some of the benefits open to club members are:

· $2 off the lunch buffet
· Free social hour snacks every Friday from 4 until 6 p.m.
· Free entry to special events
· Free locker at the Bellamy Fitness Center
· $5 off towing or a free tire rotation from the Auto Hobby Shop on base
· 10 percent off rental equipment or one month free RV storage from Outdoor Recreation

With all the benefits offered to club members, and programs open to Airmen and their families, as of April 14, Dakota's is currently operating profitably for the month. However, it is still losing money throughout the year. According to Colonel Edwards, events, membership drives, menu changes and image overhauls are what will make the club a popular place to frequent.

"It's the programs we offer to our customers that will make Dakota's popular," he said. "We need people to help coordinate events, offer suggestions for improvements and buy into the club, and make it their own."