“Extreme Makeover”: fitness edition Published Feb. 3, 2011 By Senior Airman Jarad A. Denton 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- Airmen who exercise at the Bellamy Fitness Center may notice several construction projects going on throughout the gym. Those projects, which were made possible by funding from the Office of the Secretary of Defense, are designed to upgrade and repair various elements of the indoor and outdoor fitness complex. The OSD allotted a total of $680,000 toward the completion of the five components that comprise the project. According to officials of the 28th Force Support Squadron, the funds will be used for the following improvements: · $25,000 to replace the exterior doors to the fitness center and pool · $30,000 to resurface the racquetball court and main gymnasium surfaces · $200,000 to replace the weight and cardio room floors with new eight millimeter thick rubber flooring · $225,000 will go to the men's locker and training room for refurbished lockers, upgraded lighting and new skid-proof flooring · $200,000 to the outdoor pool for an updated filtration system and a new pool liner assembly. "This funding will allow substantial refurbishment to our already existing facilities," said Lt. Col. Jon Rucker, 28th FSS commander. "We were allotted the money based on feedback from 'Quality of Life' surveys completed by Ellsworth Airmen." Colonel Rucker said in the past few surveys, Airmen have ranked the Bellamy Fitness Center as a place of high importance to them. "I think it will be a great morale booster to see the changes to the fitness center," said Catherine Desautels, 28th FSS aquatic supervisor. "It can also serve to increase traffic to places like the outdoor pool, which is a great place for families to come." Colonel Rucker said the money provided by the OSD comes at a very good time for the base. "These projects were all on our 'wish list'," he said. "We couldn't have done this without support from the OSD."