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McChord Community Center largest on JBLM

New facility officially opens doors next week

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The ribbon-cutting ceremony held Sept. 22 at McChord Field made it official - the new McChord Family Housing Community Center isn't just the first on that side of the installation, it's also the largest to date on Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

The event began with an open house and a "get to know your neighbor" social with door prizes, raffle tickets for snacks and candy gift baskets and balloons for children. Residents and family members enjoyed several planned activities to celebrate the opening. In attendance were Col. Wyn Elder, commander of the 62nd Airlift Wing, Chief Master Sgt. Gordon Drake, Command Chief of the 62nd AW and Col. Valerie Hasberry, managing director of Lewis-McChord communities. More than 75 other guests joined wing leadership as the first to tour the 7,009 square-foot facility, which took only eight months to build.

"It's gorgeous and very inviting," said Angela Morrison, the assistant manager at Equity, the contractor for McChord Field and Lewis Main Housing. "It has two sets of furniture, benches by large windows, a patio, and two barbeque pits unique to this location. It feels like home without being home."  

Located in the Heartwood housing area near Carter Lake Elementary, the community center will officially open for business on Oct. 9. It will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and is available for reservations and events.

"It's great for FRG meetings, parties and birthday celebrations," Morrison said. "Nearby, there's also our newest ‘small tots' park for little kids, which has lots of parking. The community center will have resident night, movie night and a spouses' club, and we hope to do arts and crafts night soon. Also, there will be a foosball table coming shortly."

The community center boasts stainless steel equipment, flat screen televisions, leather furniture, optional folding chairs and tables, and lots of seating, storage areas, light and open space.

For reservations and more information, call (253) 912-3500 or visit www.jblmc.com.

Photo: Col. Valerie Hasberry, 627th Air Base commander; Todd Vasko, managing director of Lewis-McChord Communities; and Col. Wyn Elder, 62nd Airlift Wing commander, from left, cut the ribbon during a ceremony last week to celebrate the opening of the new McChord Family Housing Community Center on base.

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