Dorm 331 gets new kitchen

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kenneth W. Norman
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  A ribbon cutting ceremony for the renovated kitchen at Dorm 331 took place here, March 16. The ribbon cutting was done by Lt. Col. David S. Vaughn, 97th Mission Support Group deputy commander, Chief Master Sgt. Bob Austin, 97th Air Mobility Wing command chief, Senior Airman Angelic A. Ancho and Airman 1st Class Bryan R. Franklin, Dorm 331 residents.

The kitchen renovation was a $30,000 project and took six weeks to complete. All of the work was completed by the 97th Civil Engineer Squadron's facilities improvement steering team.

"We tripled the available floor space, added new cabinets, countertops, flooring, a new ceiling, moved the fire suppression system, fixed different electrical concerns and installed new appliances," said Tech. Sgt. Douglas J. Williams, 97th Civil Engineer Squadron facilities improvement steering team supervisor.

The kitchen renovation came as a result of quality of life issues being brought up by dorm residents at Dormitory Council meetings. There is a Dormitory Council meeting held once a quarter - Dorms 331 and 213 have separate council meetings and then meet together with the command chief.

"The original kitchen was substandard and a safety issue," said Tech. Sgt. Joe D. Villanueva, 97th Civil Engineer Squadron consolidated dorm manager. "The only walkway into the laundry room went through the kitchen right in front of the stove, which proposed a safety hazard if someone was trying to cook at the same time."

According to Sergeant Villanueva, Col. Jon T. Thomas, 97th Air Mobility Wing commander and Chief Austin moved the request for a kitchen renovation up on the priority list and started the renovations in January.

"This renovation is for the Airmen," said Chief Austin. "We want the Airmen to know we hear their concerns and are doing our best to exceed their expectations. We can't fix a problem we don't know about, so if Airmen have concerns they need to voice them."

Dorm 331 residents are excited about the change.

"I think it is really nice, it is a lot cleaner and you actually have room to cook," said Airman 1st Class Valerie Fleischmann, Dorm 331 resident. "Instead of having to cook and get out so the next person could get in, you have time and space to cook your food now."

The original estimated completion time was one month, but there were a few delays due to complications with materials and a base closure from harsh weather conditions.

"They did an awesome job," Sergeant Williams said. "This is a great reflection of what the 97th Civil Engineer Squadron does to support the wing mission and personnel."