CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan -- The Camp Foster Fieldhouse, next to Gunners Fitness Center, reopened for recreational use April 10 on Camp Foster.
Renovations that kept the fieldhouse closed down for nearly two years were completed April 7, allowing the facilities to open its doors once again.
The fieldhouse closed in September 2012 due to damage caused by typhoon Bolaven. The facility sustained significant water damage, which caused a short in the electrical panel and a subsequent fire that caused additional damage, according to James M. Kassebaum, the chief marketing officer at Marine Corps Community Services Okinawa.
The Foster Fieldhouse is a multi-purpose facility that can accommodate up to 3,100 people.
“Besides adult and youth basketball, we conduct an eclectic mix of sporting and non-sporting activities,” said Kassebaum. “These include group-exercise classes, unit professional military education training, unit physical training, concerts, the annual Army & Air Force Exchange Service Furniture & Crafts Bazaar, cheerleading, a co-op childcare room, and special events such as exhibition basketball games between the Ryukyu Golden Kings and the Marine Corps All-Stars.”
With the closure impacting over 20,000 patrons, the reopening of the fieldhouse should once again provide an additional venue to positively affect physical health and mission readiness, according to Kassebaum.
“Marines use Foster Fieldhouse for unit-level training as well as individual-level directed and self-directed sports and fitness such as functional fitness,” said Kassebaum. “These activities directly relate to mission and operational readiness.”
Customer feedback has been positive since the reopening, according to Bert Griffith, the MCCS Okinawa SemperFit chief.
“Our customers love it,” said Griffith. “The reopening of Foster Fieldhouse is very important to our community, as this multipurpose facility serves as a focal point and gathering place for a wide range of activities that impact a diverse range of people, ranging from youth and adult sports activities and unit training to AAFES holiday bazaars and Pacific and island-wide competitions.”
There is no better place to play a game of basketball on Camp Foster than the newly renovated Foster Fieldhouse, according to Lance Cpl. Trey J. Williams, an expeditionary airfield systems technician with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, Marine Wing Support Group 17, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force.
“It’s my first day here and all I can say is that I’m speechless,” said Williams. “This place is state-of-the-art. It has a great environment. It’s not too hot. It’s a great place to spend time and make new friends.”
Hours of operation for the fieldhouse are Monday-Friday, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Saturday, Sunday and official holidays, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. The facility is open to all status of forces agreement personnel and individuals with access to Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, Marine Corps Installations Pacific.