We hear you - Bradley Fitness & Sports Center responds to survey concerns

  • Published
  • By Jeff Patton
  • Bradley Fitness & Sports Center
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  (The following is a response to a concern Team Vance members raised when responding to the 2013 "Caring for People" survey conducted in March.)

Concern: When will Vance have an indoor track and swimming pool?

Response: Both an indoor track and indoor pool are included in a future military construction project, currently unfunded, that will include a $23 million Fitness Center expansion project.


Concern: Can the Fitness Center remain open 24/7 for shift workers? Can a key to the Fitness Center be provided to 71st Security Forces Squadron shift workers to participate in unit physical training?

Response: Not allowed per Air Force Instruction 34-266, "Air Force Fitness and Sports Programs," para 1.2.1. "Unsupervised, after-hour use of Services fitness facilities by units or individuals is prohibited. Unsupervised after-hour use promotes an unsafe environment and puts the customer in jeopardy. The use of facilities after hours increases the opportunity for damage and theft and often interferes with custodial contract cleaning. Use other exercise avenues after-hours."


Concern: The climate control keeps the Fitness Center and the locker room too hot and not well ventilated. Can you do something about it?

Response: Temperature standards are established by the Air Force and controlled by the base Energy Management Control System. A civil engineering work order has been approved to install wall fans in the Cardio and Aerobic rooms and will be installed when funding is available. Until then, portable fans and de-humidifiers are utilized in locker rooms and other areas.


Concern: Why can't music be played over the Fitness Facility speaker system?

Response: A 71st Mission Support Group commander's policy memorandum, dated July 15, 2011, regulates television and radio/stereo use in community services activities.

The main concern in playing music over the facility speakers is not all customers would be content with same type of music. What some find acceptable would be offensive to others. Customers are encouraged to bring personal i-Pods and MP3 devices for music listening and use the free Wi-Fi service.


Concern: Can the Fitness Center get some CrossFit equipment?

Response: The Air Force does not fully endorse individual extreme conditioning programs and does not allow purchasing of program-specific equipment or videos for these types of programs.


Concern: Can group exercise classes be scheduled at 7 a.m., at 4 p.m. and after 5 p.m.?

Response: The scheduling of group exercise class is totally dependent on instructor availability.


Concern: Can the Fitness Center provide more exercise options for 6-10 year olds, add "child friendly gym hours," add hours that support kids under 5 years of age and give parents a place to take their kids to exercise when the weather turns cold?

Response: A Family Fitness class is held every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. on the basketball court. Current 71st Flying Training Wing policy is more conducive to younger children using the Fitness Center than guidelines in AFI 34-266.


Concern: Can the Fitness Center provide personal trainers to assist individuals in reaching their personal fitness goals?

Response: Two Fitness Center staff members are Air Force certified fitness instructors and are available at no charge. Customers can receive consultations, fitness assessments, exercise prescriptions, diet information and equipment demonstrations.

A personal trainer was previously contracted by the Fitness Center for a one-year trial and no customers signed up for the service.


Concern: The outdoor basketball clay court leaves residue all over. Could the surface be changed to blacktop?

Response: A base project to replace the outdoor basketball court surface is programmed but is currently unfunded.


Concern: Why are the bathrooms at the base park locked during the winter?

Response: The base park and softball fields restrooms are closed during winter months to prevent freezing pipes and plumbing damage. The civil engineers winterize the bathrooms and close them for the season when the chance of freezing temperatures is forecast. The bathrooms are reopened when the threat of freezing has passed.