Renovations to recreation facilities nearly complete Published March 26, 2014 By Senior Airman Joshua Eikren 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Since November three 375th Force Support Squadron facilities have undergone renovations to improve the quality of life here. Two of those facilities, the James Sports Center and the Cardinal Creek Golf Course, are nearing or at completion while the third, the Scott Club, will continue working improvements through mid-summer. James Sports Center The majority of the renovations inside the James Sports Center are complete and includes new heavy duty wall coverings, boilers to improve ventilation and enlarged doorways. But the most noticeable improvement is the new lobby and customer service desk in the main entrance. "The renovations to the James Sports Center make an old building more appealing," said Gailyn Gonzalez, 375th FSS fitness director. "A better atmosphere makes you want to exercise." Outside construction for the new turf in the center the track will be completed May 1. The synthetic turf will allow the field to be used year round for both PT and sports, and will be lined for both soccer and football. Cardinal Creek Golf Course Renovations to Cardinal Creek Golf Course Café have already been completed and the café has been operating since late February. The golf course itself underwent some changes during the winter and will celebrate its grand re-opening March 28 at 3:30 p.m. with a ribbon cutting and golf specials that will continue through April 4. There were several major improvements to the clubhouse during the winter months. First, the café windows and interior walls were replaced and painted and the carpet in the lobby and café areas was removed and tile was laid in its place. Additionally, new carpet was installed in the locker rooms and updated ceiling tiles were fitted. In terms of the course itself, several bunkers are currently being filled in and no-mow areas are being increased in an effort to reduce maintenance costs without sacrificing the integrity of the course. Lastly, there was extensive work being done to the banks of Cardinal Creek to help prevent erosion. "The 375 AMW has invested heavily in offering the Scott community a world class golf facility," said Capt. Kent Moore, 375th FSS Operations Officer. "We were closed this winter partially so we could undergo the renovations needed due to the floods from last year, but also as a way to save money in operations costs. Like all golf courses, it must be supported with patron dollars, from the vibrant café to the driving range. Maintenance costs include fertilizers, pesticides, chemicals, and labor. "Money to fund all of these requirements comes from the golf community, in the form of green fees, cart rental fees and driving range ball fees. Transitioning to a seasonal operation is one way we looked at saving the course. However, we will still rely on the Scott community to support the golf course by using all of our areas here for events or meetings, as well as for golfing." Scott Club Renovations underway at the Scott Club will aim to help the facility become more of a multipurpose center. A larger kitchen is being installed to improve lunchtime food operation and to better provide for large, catered events. Also a new conference room will be installed. These renovations are scheduled to be done in July. All the improvements at these facilities have been implemented with the help of the other Scott squadrons. "The James Sports Center and track turf project was submitted to the 375th Civil Engineering Squadron and then turned into projects by the 375th Contracting Squadron," said Moore. "The Scott Club improvements were identified and funded through the Air Force Personnel Center Services Transformation Project. And the Golf Course Café improvements were an urgent project due to the two weather events in the Spring of 2013 and were completed by the Scott CES and FSS members, loyal golf course employees, and contractors."