Recently opened Zone, community center provide new services

  • Published
  • By Nick DeCicco
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Six months ago, Travis Air Force Base was bereft of a place for base functions or to just kick back.

Now, with the introduction of The Zone and the Balfour Beatty Community Center, they have both.

While both cater to Airmen, their families and the Team Travis community, they serve different functions.

The primary distinction between the two is that while the community center is mostly a reservation-driven destination, The Zone is a place for people to relax, play games and unwind.

Parties for Sunday's Super Bowl XLV serve to illustrate the division. When a private party takes place at the community center, The Zone will host an eight-hour event at which all members of Team Travis and their families are welcome.

Opened Jan. 20, The Zone is the product of a six-month-long project to renovate the Travis Conference Center.

"The Zone is more of a fun, cut-loose type of environment," said Mustak Keval, Airman and Family Readiness Center director, when comparing the two.

The Zone is divided into two areas, the Landing Zone and the Drop Zone.

The Landing Zone is "an area to chill out," Mr. Keval said. Visitors can play pool, ping pong or foosball; read a book; watch TV on one of three big screens; surf the web using the wireless Internet or play games for the Nintendo Wii or Playstation 3 consoles. People can bring their own food and drinks.

"Everybody is welcome," said Mr. Keval. "This is a Team Travis facility, not an Air Force facility."

Across the hall from the Landing Zone is the Drop Zone, which is for infants and kids. Children can play games, watch DVDs, draw on chalk boards, play with toys and more. Despite the name, Mr. Keval emphasized that it is not a space for children to be dropped off -- adult supervision is required.

Mr. Keval said the way The Zone can best serve the community is still taking shape, pointing to its recent change in hours to noon to 8 p.m.

"We're still trying to figure out what it is," said Mr. Keval of The Zone. "People have really enjoyed it so far."

Unlike The Zone, the Balfour Beatty Community Center is driven by events such as baby showers, birthday parties, retirements and recurring events for the Special Needs Task Force and Balfour Beatty's LifeWorks program.

Inside the facility is a conference room, a children's play room, a small work out area, a kitchen and a large hall for banquets and events. Outside are a playground and a water fountain as well as a patio area.

"We're driven by suggestion," said Patrick Hoppaugh, Balfour Beatty community manager. "We spend a lot of time asking people, 'What would you like to see?' "

Though the center is run by Balfour Beatty, so far, it has made no distinction between those who live in base housing and those who don't, said Mr. Hoppaugh.

"We're with the Travis family and growing with its needs," said Mr. Hoppaugh. "We don't see a threshold in the future when we'll get to that either."

Because it's based on reservations, one must submit a form to the Balfour Beatty office in order to save a block of time. Community center managers then review the submissions in order to "narrow it down based on needs and availability," said Amy Adams with Balfour Beatty.

The center does host events that are open to the public as well, such as its Deployed Spouses Valentine's Day event from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14. The event includes winning a room makeover, a spouse makeover and a children's prize. Those interested in attending can RSVP by visiting http://www.TravisAFRC.com.

To find the community center reservation form, visit http://www.travisfamilyhousing.com and click on the events tab. The center is located at 450 First Street. For more information, call 207-3376.

The Zone is open Monday through Friday from noon to 8 p.m.  in Bldg. 480. For more information, call the AFRC at 424-2486.