Quality of life suggestions heard

In conjunction with the 2013 Air Force Community Assessment survey, which was scheduled to launch April 5 at Cannon, wing leadership will initiate another opportunity to solicit feedback from all members of the Cannon community via the 27th Special Operations Wing Facebook page, this month.

U.S. Air Force photo: Airman 1st Class Eboni Reece

The Family Fitness Room at the Fitness Center was a recent community-suggested base improvement that consisted of removing the unused restrooms at the front of the facility to create an area for parents to watch their children while working out at Cannon Air Force Base.

Over the past year, the 27th Special Operations Wing has taken numerous measures to improve the quality of life for all members of the Cannon community. Feedback from Quality of Life council meetings and the wing's official Facebook page has been used to actively implement suggestions and improve the base.

Things like pool shades for DZ Pool areas, a base dog park, and restructuring of the Fitness Center have all been ideas taken from Cannon affiliates and made a reality.

Three new, hip shade structures were installed over areas of DZ Pool last year. The high-density polyethylene shade fabric offers ultraviolet protection, blocking 99 percent of UV rays. Shades were placed around the pool and one over the children's pool area to protect Cannon community members from harmful sun rays.

"The new Family Fitness Room at the Fitness Center was another recent base improvement," said Shelly Schmidt, 27th Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron project manager. "The project consisted of removing the unused restrooms at the front of the facility to create an area for parents to watch their children while working out. The building was expanded an additional 500 square feet to add more space for new equipment and a larger play area for kids. Additionally, windows were installed to allow daylight into the area." The 27 SOCES also built a new Combat Fit Pad behind the Fitness Center based on customer requests.

The 27th Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron completed construction on the Cannon Dog Park after multiple requests from Cannon community members. The Dog Park is open 24 hours, seven days a week, 365 days a year and features clean stations throughout. All personnel with access to the base also have access to the Dog Park; however, in order to keep the park open, upkeep is expected from everyone.

The Toddler Playground at Unity Park consisted of installing safe playground equipment for toddlers with a rubber base for safe play. Since Unity Park did not previously offer an area for small toddlers to play, Cannon provided a safe and inexpensive solution for children between the ages of 2 to 5 due to requests from Cannon parents. An indoor playground at Doc Stewart Park was also created after many requests from parents.

The 27 SOCES also provides a low fluoride tap at the water plant on base near Building 356, the CE Compound, for all Cannon personnel to utilize. Due to high demand, the squadron has installed a Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Unit near Commando Corner, which houses the Thrift Shop and Airmen's Attic. It should be operational by April 9. The low fluoride tap puts out bottled-quality water and the new ROWPU will yield distilled water at no cost to base residents.

The above examples are just a few of the many improvements Cannon has made after listening to and implementing suggestions from airmen and family members. Members are encouraged to use Air Force CA survey, the Quality of Life meetings, squadron leadership and the Facebook forum to address areas of concern and bring up new suggestions in a professional and constructive manner.