Upgrades at Sembach gym improve workouts

Story and photo by Rick Scavetta
U.S. Army Garrison Kaiserslautern Public Affairs

A few months ago, when Pvt. Benjamin Myers first walked into the post fitness center to workout, the military police Soldier found weightlifting gear crammed into a corner of the basketball gymnasium.

“It was kind of bare and lacking certain equipment,” said Myers, who’s serving with the 230th Military Police Company on his first overseas Army assignment. “I was surprised. I hoped there would be a little more.”

U.S. Army Garrison has been working hard to make improvements and provide better services to Soldiers, civilians and family members at Sembach Kaserne. Renovations to the Sembach Fitness Center were a top priority.

In fact, Installation Management Command has invested more than $2 million in upgrades.

“The facility received a $450,000 roof repair, and solar panels were installed to provide cost free hot water during summertime to the shower rooms,” said Paul Lindemer, from the garrison’s public works directorate.

About $560,000 went toward interior renovations included showers, lockers, hallways, electrical upgrades and a new floor in the weight lifting area, Lindemer said.

More improvements are underway. A $900,000 project begins soon in the gymnasium, to include new flooring on the basketball court, Lindemer said. Renovations should be complete by the year’s end.
Meanwhile, there’s more than $66,000 of new fitness equipment in Sembach’s renovated weight room.

Between sets on a cable pull, Randy Stanaland, an Army civilian who recently moved to Sembach with the headquarters of Installation Management Command-Europe Region, said he enjoys having access to gym equipment just steps from where he works.

“It’s all brand new equipment and there’s more room now,” Stanaland said. “With a great variety of equipment, you can work more muscle groups during your
workout.”

Nearby, Alex Cole, a former Air Force NCO who runs the Sembach Community Activities Center, works out his leg muscles on a squat machine.

“I’ve been looking forward to using this room for a while,” Cole said. “It’s spacious. You can do more. You don’t have to wait for equipment.”
Myers, who patrols alongside Air Force counterparts in the KMC, is now able to do more efficient workouts, he said.