MCB HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii -- A groundbreaking ceremony was held for a 50-room addition to the Temporary Lodging Facility near the main entrance to MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay April 4.
The TLF currently has 24 rooms for use by servicemembers awaiting housing. When the facility is full, the government must pay for hotel accommodations and travel for the servicemembers. The addition, which will be named the "Lodge at Kaneohe Bay," will include 40 rooms with kitchenettes and 10 hotel-style rooms and will save the government an estimated $1.1 to 1.6 million annually in reimbursement of permanent change of station and temporary duty lodging expenses.
The lodge construction is scheduled to begin this spring and be completed in the spring of 2002. The $6.7 million contract was awarded to Korte Construction Company of St. Louis, Mo. The new rooms will sport more comforts and conveniences for the occupants including key card security door locks, a new telephone system with call forwarding and voice messaging, extra phone lines to accommodate modems and portable computers, individual air conditioning systems and cable television with movie channels.
The funds for the project are non-appropriated funds provided by MCB Hawaii Marine Corps Community Services which are earned through their many retail and entertainment activities. During the past 10 years Marine Corps Base Hawaii has received more than $40 million in non-appropriated funds from the Marine Corps Central Construction Fund to improve the quality of life for base residents.
Funds generated through patronage of MCCS activities at bases throughout the Marine Corps contribute to the central fund, and money is distributed to the bases which need it the most. Marine Corps Base Hawaii has secured funding this year for a self-storage facility, an additional 7-Day store, enlisted and officer club renovations, driving range improvements, a beach pavilion, and a gas lane convenience store.
Additionally, $11.5 million has been secured for fiscal year 2003 for projects including a youth activities center, a Marine Corps Exchange warehouse, and automated car wash, staff noncommissioned officer club and golf clubhouse renovations, and replacement of golf course cart paths.
"During the past couple of years, I've had the opportunity to preside over a number of these ceremonies," said Brig. Gen. R.E. Parker, commanding general, MCB Hawaii. "One thing that has been made very clear to me is that here at MCB Hawaii, we are moving in the right direction when it comes to providing quality facilities for our servicemembers and their families."