Sen. Domenici visits Holloman to rename gym in his honor

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Sanjay Allen
  • 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  The base gym was officially rededicated as the Pete Domenici Sports and Fitness Center today during a ceremony held at the center with the former senator as the honorary guest.

The fitness center was built in November 2001 after it was brought to Senator Domenici's attention that Holloman was in dire need of a new one.

"When I was here, back in 1990ish ... we had no gym," said Col. Jeff Harrigian, 49th Fighter Wing commander. "It was basically done in each of the squadrons and they were pretty poor facilities and, honestly, didn't meet the needs of our Airmen.

Colonel Harrigian said this wouldn't have happened without senator Domenici's advocacy and without the leadership of everybody inside of our community and across the state.

The base commander at the time expressed the need for a new facility to Alamogordo's Committee of 50 -- which consists of local business owners and community leaders -- who, in turn, expressed that need to the senator on their annual visit to Washington, D.C.

"After hearing the need and how much it would improve the quality of life for our Airmen and their families, Pete put in a bill to appropriate the funds for this beautiful premier fitness and readiness center, " said Toots Green, Team Holloman Wingman. "One of the jewels of the Air Force."

Senator Domenici took the information from Holloman, Air Combat Command and the Committee of 50 to the hill to advocate for Airmen and their families stationed at Holloman to get their new gym.

"It was pretty hard, I'll tell you, as your senator to get the millions of dollars that were going into a fitness and recreation center," said Senator Domenici. "Because for some, that was a little bit of a luxury. Not for me. For me, I was certain that it was fulfilling a commitment to give you what you're entitled to ... so that you can be part of the greatest military in the world."

During the ceremony, the senator reflected on what the gym was like before the new one was built eight years ago.

"I was privileged to get to know this base," he said. "One thing I noticed is they had a little tiny gym and the facilities for recreation and fitness were pretty meager."

Today the Pete Domenici Sports and Fitness Center is one of the top fitness centers in ACC, and for some the best they have ever worked out in.

"This gym is fantastic. It is far more superior to every Air Force gym I have ever been in," said Capt. Ryan Schmoll, 4th Space Control Squadron. "The things I like most about this gym are the wide variety of machines and the track we have out here."

The senator was very pleased with the new fitness and sports center that most members of Team Holloman enjoy spending their physical training time at each week. The center has a wide range of individual and team athletic opportunities to include racquetball, squash, basketball, football, tennis and slow pitch softball.

Additionally, the fitness center has a cardio room, two complete circuit sets, a free weight room, indoor pool and saunas in the locker rooms. Classes such as cardio kickboxing, strength fusion, Pilates, hatha yoga, cycling, step aerobics, interval and strength conditioning are offered free of charge to military members, their dependents and other ID card holders. The center also offers a variety of water based classes such as water aerobics and strength training.

"I'm very pleased with the result," he said. "I wish we could have had it earlier for people, but let's be happy now that there is opportunity for fitness and recreation for all the men, women and families that are affiliated with this beautiful air base."