CAMP MCTUREOUS, Okinawa - A new fitness center was recently opened at Camp McTureous for Marines and their families.
The facility, operated by Semper Fit with Marine Corps Community Services, comes complete with cardiovascular, aerobic, resistance and strength training machines and affords residents of McTureous easy access to a fitness center without driving to next closest facility at Camp Courtney.
“We have been talking about having a facility like this for a few years now,” said Bert Griffith, the Semper Fit chief for MCCS Okinawa. “Marines and fitness centers are joined at the hip. Anytime fitness capacity is increased for Marines, it is a good thing. In addition to this, Marines and their families will no longer have to drive to Courtney to use the gym.”
In addition to decreasing the commute for health conscious residents, the new center also helps alleviate overcrowding at Camp Courtney’s gym, according to Ray Welch, the director of camp services on Camps Courtney and McTureous.
“This is a great opportunity for us because Camp Courtney has always had the smallest fitness facility, and our population has grown quite a bit over the years,” said Welch. “We are hoping that these two fitness centers will balance each other out and give more people the opportunity to work out.”
The residents living on Camp McTureous have been looking forward to a fitness center for a while, according to 2nd Lt. Amanda C. Bonilla, the camp operations officer with Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force.
“There is a lot of motivation coming from the community who want to use this facility,” said Bonilla. “Maybe it isn’t the largest gym, but it is a good addition to what we have on Courtney, and it is much more accessible to the community here. I know they are all very excited.”