Photo By Pvt. Kourtney Grimes | Rooms in the Tierra Kay housing complex are now furnished with new hutches, side...... read more read more
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GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba - A renovation long in the making was celebrated March 11 as the ribbon was cut at the Tierra Kay (TK) housing complex here. The development of the billeting built in 1974, which has been in the works for two years now, is finally near total completion.
“The $7.2 million life safety renovation started in July of 2012,” said Air Force Capt. Matthew Dunn, Joint Task Force housing officer.
The renovations began with the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems as a part of a life safety project said Dunn.
This multi-step restoration of the HVACs fixed all of the air quality concerns that were previously an issue.
“As a part of a life safety project, Islands Mechanical Contracting (IMC) was awarded the contract to replace all the ductwork, HVAC systems, install dehumidifiers and added a UV filtration system,” said Dunn.
New doors and windows were installed in the TKs after the repairs to the HVACs were made. This modification began about six months after into the project. Due to the staggered start of the task, troopers were relocated out of their TKs multiple times in order to allow adequate timing.
“These are great upgrades, but I want to ensure the troopers know we appreciate their flexibility,” said Dunn.
A great deal of the work done to prepare the TKs relied on the troopers and their willingness to help.
To get these berthing ready, they helped move and replace 150 sets of living room furniture, provided security escorts for IMC workers to occupied units, installed and built 642 new beds in the units and distributed new mattresses said Dunn.
Army Sgt. Ronnie Patrick, a training noncommissioned officer with the 525th Military Police Battalion, has been here for almost two years and has seen the bulk of the progress in the TK construction. Upon his arrival, the TKs were in a state of heavy production.
“When I first got here back in August of 2012, the entire back side where I stay at now was blocked off and under construction limiting space for the Soldiers staying in the TKs,” said Patrick. “At one point, we had five Soldiers staying in my house.”
The enhancements to the housing have had a positive impact on the lives of the troopers in more ways than one.
“The improvements have affected me mostly by improving morale,” said Patrick.
The new beds and mattresses allow more quality sleep which leads to better performance when the troopers get to work. The quality and progress of the renovations relied heavily on the support and flexibility of the troopers.
“We are very appreciative of all the sweat equity the troopers have on this project,” said Dunn. “Simply put, it would not have happened without troopers helping out!”
| Date Taken: | 04.17.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 04.17.2014 14:46 |
| Story ID: | 126469 |
| Location: | GUANTANAMO BAY, CU |
| Web Views: | 1,052 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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