ACTION LINE: RAF Lakenheath Fitness Center Published Jan. 28, 2013 By Col. Kyle W. Robinson 48th Fighter Wing Commander ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- COMPLAINT: Since our PCS here this past July, the one glaring thing that I have noticed is the inconvenience I have been put through with the Lakenheath Fitness Center. The online posted hours are not consistent with the actual hours, and the childcare facilities are substandard. "Worst in the Air Force" comes to mind. On more than one occasion I have made the drive off base to use the facility, only to be turned away by a locked door and the lights out. Especially on the weekends. Being that Lakenheath is the "main base" in the area, with the most services, I am puzzled as to why they would not have the most convenient hours? Please address this frustrated dependent and former active duty member. Thank you. RESPONSE: Thank you for taking the time to submit your concerns about our fitness center. I am disappointed that you found our facilities wanting as we continually strive to improve our capacity and our customer service. Admittedly, for a short period of time, the link on the 48 FW/PA webpage indicated incorrect Fitness Center hours. This was rectified and our hours efficiently match needs to resources. For example, we recently completed a study of our Fitness Center and we altered our operating hours to coincide with the actual usage. This maximized the availability of our diverse fitness programs, improved the distribution of our staff, and saved monies. By regulation (AFI 34-266), we are required (i.e., funded and staffed) for 112 hours per week. We exceed that requirement by 8 hours. If your fitness needs fall outside of our open hours, Feltwell Fitness Center remains open 24 hours a day to those who are years 16 and older. (Of course, we close our fitness facility, as we do all non-critical missions areas, during inclement weather based on my assessment of safety and risk.) In regards to your comment that "the childcare facilities are substandard," I would like to point out that our Fitness Center does not offer child care. However, in our Page Community Center (Building 900), which is adjacent to the Fitness Center, we host our AMAzone Family Work Out Room. This unique facility enables you to exercise while your children play. AMAzone offers an area for infants and toddlers, and another area for pre-teens. The hours for that facility are: Mon-Thu 0900-2000, Fri 0900-1800, Sat 1200-2000 and Sun 1200-1800. We strive to maintain that area in excellent shape; however, we entrust users to help upkeep and monitor all their community centers. If child care requirements further limit your workouts, there is assistance. Our Youth Center hosts a "Liberty Tots" club that meets in the Youth Center gym every Fri morning from 1000-1200. Furthermore, the Child Development Centers offer an hourly care program that can be reserved 24 hours in advance. Again, I am sorry that you were disappointed by our hours and child care options. We strive to be the smartest steward of our public resources including operating hours and facility maintenance. For example, we recently invested thousands of dollars into new aerobic and anaerobic equipment for our Fitness Center. Our superb staff will continue to ensure an excellent and safe service. For more information about fitness center programs, you can visit their webpage or the Page Community Center webpage at www.48forcesupport.com . Please feel free to call our Fitness Center manager, Mr. John Enterman, if you have any further questions or concerns at 226-2563. ******************************************* The Action Line is your direct link to the commander for complaints, suggestions or comments. It's not intended to replace the chain of command. When normal command agency channels haven't been able to resolve your concerns, call 226-2324, e-mail Action.Line@lakenheath.af.mil , send through distribution (48 FW/PA), mail (48FW/PA, Unit 5210 Box 215 APO AE 09461-0215) or hand carry your Action Line to the public affairs office (Building 1063). You may remain anonymous; however, to receive a reply, please leave your name, unit, duty or home phone number and full APO mailing address.