Brand new exercise equipment of all types are showcased inside the new fitness facility on board NAS Meridian.

    The ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the newly renovated Sonny Montgomery Fitness Center on board Naval Air Station Meridian was held Friday. The new facility is stuffed with state of the art equipment.

    “Even though I didn’t really have a hand in this project, I’m still proud of it for the service members and the people who work here on board the base,” said Capt. Chris Moore, commanding officer of NAS Meridian. “There have been some challenges along the way but as you can see it was worth the wait.”

    The $7 million Fitness Center was designed specifically to support the base PRT Program and to accommodate fitness/aquatic and sports options for active duty, retirees, dependents and eligible civilian workforce on board NAS Meridian.

    The renovation included a new 4,000 square foot bath house with 25m-8 lane swimming pool; 2100 square foot cardio room addition to the Fitness Center; two racquetball courts; new tennis courts and lighting system; new ? mile running track; refinishing existing basketball courts; renovating saunas; new HVAC system throughout, including locker rooms and basketball courts; new floor/wall/ceiling surfaces throughout; emergency call systems; energy efficient lighting, lavatories, showers and plumbing fixtures throughout; and applying for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification.

    MWR Director Chad Baldwin said this equipment and this facility will be vital in keeping the men and women of the Navy and Marines in excellent physical shape.

    “I’m excited for the troops,” Baldwin said. “They deserve the best we can offer and this facility represents the best.”

    MWR executed a grant of nearly $294,000 to stock the Fitness Center with state-of-the-art fitness, aquatic and sports equipment and supplies.

    The center is open Monday-Friday from 5:30 a.m.- 8 p.m. and on weekends and holidays from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. It is closed only three days a year: New Year’s, Thanksgiving and Christmas.