MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- Col. Christopher E. O’Connor, the former commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, senior officers and executives with Marine Corps Community Services and Stronghold Engineering officially opened the new Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Golf Clubhouse, Rockers staff noncommissioned officer’s club and the Palms Restaurant at a ribbon cutting ceremony aboard the air station, March 26.
The grand opening commemorates more than 14 months of construction on the new $6.6 million facility.
“It was great to be here for the groundbreaking,” said O’Connor. “This building is a response to an MCCS survey and this is what the people here want.”
Leading up to the grand opening, clubhouse personnel offered a series of promotional events. Patrons could receive a professional golf club custom fitting from representatives with Ping, while other golfers swung their clubs in an attempt to beat the golf course assistant manager’s long drive.
Sgt. Maj. Louis M. Espinal, the sergeant major of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and Master Gunnery Sgt. Angel Figueroa, the SNCO club president, officially opened Rockers with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
“The Marine Corps is closing more clubs than opening, so we are very privileged to have a place designated for us,” said Espinal. “The station has taken care of 3rd MAW and all the support we get is phenomenal. This is not only a place for Marines to break bread together, but a place of fellowship.”
MCCS awarded the building contract to Stronghold Construction, a company based in Riverside, who oversaw the development of the 16,000-square-foot project.
“It was a huge team effort and this outstanding facility is going to serve people for many years to come,” said Chuck Gossage, the executive vice president of Stronghold. “The project had its challenges but it came together beautifully.”
Some of the challenges stemmed from creating a first-class facility that would house several energy and environmentally-friendly design features.
“This facility is one of the first Marine Corps facilities to achieve the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Award,” said Frank J. Guasti, the director of planning and construction with MCCS aboard the air station. “Basically it is one of the most ecological-friendly buildings with everything from crews using recycled building materials to using reclaimed non-potable water for the toilets and sprinkler system.”
“Miramar has the best quality of life facilities,” said O’Connor. “We are the gold standard and are raising the bar for the military quality of life.”