News

Roofing, paving, renovating – oh my!

  • Published
  • By Jenny Gordon
  • Robins Public Affairs
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE Ga., --  If you're a bit inconvenienced taking a detour due to road construction or because the constant banging above your head won't stop due to nonstop roofing projects, just remember - progress is a good thing.


Funding which arrived near the end of fiscal 2013 to support various projects across Robins will in some way impact everyone in 2014.


There were 126 projects altogether that were funded in fiscal 2013. Only five projects were unfunded. But what made this last fiscal year unique was the fact that $18.7 million came flowing in during the last several weeks, in turn funding some additional 65 projects toward the end.


"We had a strategy early in the fiscal year to get a lot of projects ready because we expected things to be first-come, first-served," said Becky McCoy, 78th Civil Engineer Group Engineering Division chief. "We had never seen it happen like that before."


The end-of-year projects that were funded came from the 78th Air Base Wing, Air Force Sustainment Center and Air Force Materiel Command.


"We always go through this phase of preparing, especially for the 'just in cases.' This year the 'just in case' happened," said Angie Whitley, a senior contracting officer. "The planning was there and had been for several years. This year we were all able to secure a lot of money coming down for projects. It was a big, very busy and successful year. We should be in really good shape."


So what can Team Robins look forward to in the year ahead? For starters, expect some road paving projects to begin on Monday.


Many quality-of-life updates will include painting and adding new carpet to the dormitories, renovating the floor in the Health and Wellness Center gym, and renovating bathrooms in the Heritage Club and Bldg. 301 gym.


The base chapel will also receive new pews. A renovation in Bldg. 207, which houses the Drug Demand Reduction Program, will also assist with providing even more assistance to its clients.


One notable project will be the demolition of one of the dormitories at Bldg. 792. Other work will include heating, ventilation and air conditioning projects and emergency lighting repair for airfield runway lights due to storm damage.


Roofing repairs was a big focus due to a large roofing survey conducted by the 78th CEG. Requirements were again identified early on, resulting in timely estimates and packages.


"This is all a direct result from the great communication and work efforts we have between the 78th Civil Engineer Group, the comptroller and contracting, as well as planning with the foresight to think on how to become more efficient, how to be more reactive to these end-of-year requirements," said Tommy Peacock, Infrastructure Support Section chief.