Pine Oaks Lodge upgrades make for better home away from home Published March 14, 2008 By Holly Birchfield 78 ABW/PA Robins Air Force Base, GA -- The Pine Oaks Lodge is working to help its guests breathe easier. In January 2007, the lodge began a $1.2 million renovation project which included a new ventilation system. About 43 bathrooms received the new ventilation systems. It was part of an effort to give guests a better home away from home. John Twigg, Pine Oaks Lodge manager, said the upgrades solved a big problem the building had - mold. "With the improper ventilation, you had all of the hot water and moisture just staying in the building, permeating the walls," he said. The lodge received an additional $100,000 from the 78th Air Base Wing's 2007 fallout money to replace the building's leaky shower basins. Now, the lodge is starting its Command Lodging Fund Project for the building which will include new carpet, textured wall coverings, and furniture. Mr. Twigg said. Bldg. 755 should reopen to customers by July, and the entire project should be completed by November. Teresa McGhee, housekeeping supervisor at Pine Oaks Lodge, said the upgrades will lessen the extra cleaning her staff had to do before, a change both she and her housekeepers are happy about. Rosalind Morris, front end supervisor at Pine Oaks Lodge, said the renovations will make the building better for guests as well. Mr. Twigg agreed. "It's great from a manager's perspective because we want to do the best we can for our customers who are serving our country and those who have served our country," he said. "We want to be able to put our best foot forward."