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MWR/Outdoor RecreationFort KnoxRecreation Programs and FacilitiesAPut Soldiers and Families Firsts Armed Forces recreation professionals gather in Minneapolisfor another exciting Armed ForcesRecreation Society (AFRS) ProfessionalTraining Institute (PTI) on Monday, Oct.25, and National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Congress and Exposition, Oct. 25-29, Government Recreation& Fitness celebrates Fort Knox, Ky., oneof this year’s Armed Forces RecreationAward winners (see full list of winners onpage 12). As the recipient of the ArmedForces Executive Fellow Award, FortKnox Community Recreation DivisionChief Mark Wicker says that althoughthe award is “an amazing honor,” he believes that the award “reflects the hardwork and dedication of all the recreationstaff in our organization at Fort Knox.Our staff is committed to providing thebest facilities, programs and services toour military constituents.”Wicker points out the award serves asrecognition of Fort Knox’s commitmentto enhancing the lives of soldiers andfamilies. “We really have responded tothe needs of our community,” he says.“Through the Base Realignment andClosure (BRAC) initiative, Fort Knoxhas experienced perhaps more physical and cultural change than any otherinstallation. We have transformed fromthe Home of Armor and Cavalry to theHome of the Human Resource Center forExcellence. We have been out in frontof this change by renovating and adding facilities and providing recreationprograms and services based on whatour community looks like now, not whatit used to.”In addition, he points out that FortKnox has led the Army in adoption andexecution of the Family and Morale,Welfare and Recreation Delivery System (FMWR-DS) programming model.Wicker points out that all of this wouldnot be possible if it was not for command support, most notably the influxof funding provided as a result of theGOVERNMENT RECREATION & FITNESS OCTOBER 2010

Army Family Covenant.“FMWR-DS is essentiallyproviding the recreation programs and services our community wants, when it wantsthem, at the best location toprovide them,” says Wicker.“At the core of this model isthe mining of the community’srecreation needs and the interdivisional sharing of human andcapital resources, which resultsin the most efficient deliveryof recreation programs and services the community wants andbenefits from.”He notes that another important development was theearning of accreditation throughthe Commission for the Accreditation of Park and RecreationAgencies in 2007. “This was along and arduous process thatrequires compliance with over130 standards,” notes Wicker. “We arecurrently one of four recreation agencies within the Department of Defense(DoD) to have achieved this milestone.”Fort Knox also consults the ArmyForce Generation (ARFORGEN) modelwhen planning recreation programs. “Thisensures that we are providing the appropriate programs commensurate with ourcommunity’s location in the deploymentcycle,” says Wicker. “For example, usingthe ARFORGEN model helps us avoidexecuting a program for a large groupof single soldiers during a period whena majority of this demographic may bedeployed.”INCREASING SUPPORTOver the past few years, FMWRhas benefited from many improvementprojects that are helping to improve thequality of life for all on post. In 2007,Fort Knox received 750,000 to constructthe 18-hole Falls Landing miniature golfcourse, offering a challenging 18-holecourse surrounded by trickling streams,cascading waterfalls and realistic rockformations for people of all ages to enjoy.“The natural setting of the coursedelivers a fun and relaxing way to spendthe day with friends and family,” notesWicker. A spacious patio area withchairs, tables and umbrellas is available for relaxing after an intense gameon the course, and two party rooms areavailable for use.In the summer of 2010, Fort Knoxopened the 750,000 Eastman Park andAmphitheater, which also features picnicshelters and a boundless playground byGametime. Fort Knox also completedan extensive renovation and expansionproject of the Barr Memorial Library.A 2 million expansion funded by localgarrison dollars began in 2009, adding a7,200-square-foot addition to the facilityand renovating the original library fromtop to bottom. Today’s Barr MemorialLibrary is designed to be flexible andfunctional, attempting to anticipate therapidly changing trends in library andinformation technology.“We have increased the number ofcommunity recreation programs and special events we present annually, and havedeveloped a system for quantifying thebenefits our community members receiveparticipation in them,” notes Wicker.In the area of aquatics, Fort Knoxhas secured funding to add an outdoorspray park to the Anderson Indoor AquaticCenter, according to Aquatics DirectorBobby Jenkins. Built in 1996, the centerhouses a heated Olympic-sized pool thatincludes a diving board, a 50-foot tubewater slide and a smaller slide in the3.5-foot area for kids 6 and under. Anindoor eating area, an outside patio anda vending machine room are available.Anderson also has a cardiovascular fitnessroom stocked with treadmills, stationary and recumbent bicycles and strengthequipment from Life Fitness and Precor.The facility underwent a renovation toOCTOBER 2010 GOVERNMENT RECREATION & FITNESSthe pool and locker rooms in 2007.The Fort Knox Water Park has seenmany improvements over the past fewyears as well, and has several uniqueactivities designed for water fun. The25-meter pool features zero-depth entry,a 70-foot tube slide, a 70-foot open slide,a giant water-cascading mushroom, water spouts and a water challenge coursewith floating logs and lily pads. Thereis a shaded wading pool and playgroundfor toddler fun and a large sundeck withumbrellas and chairs around the pool.Slides and features at Anderson IndoorAquatic Center and the Fort Knox WaterPark were purchased from New BraunfelsGeneral Store and Amusement LeisureEquipment.“These facilities are heavily usedthroughout the year by members of theFort Knox community, as well as visitorsfrom surrounding areas,” notes Jenkins.Another popular family attraction isthe Houston Bowling Center, which is setto benefit from improvements as well. The24-lane center, which features a StrikeZone Snack Bar and a full-service ProShop, hosts approximately 25 leaguesper year and intramural bowling. An expansion project is currently underwaythat will add eight additional lanes, alarge private-party room and upgradeall furnishings within the center.In the past three years Fort Knox hasrenovated and expanded two of its fourfitness centers and has received fundingto begin renovations/expansion projects

MWR/Outdoor Recreationon the other two fitness centers this year.Otto Physical Fitness Center now has afresh look after a complete 2.6 million renovation: 6,500 square feet wereadded to accommodate a full array ofHammer Strength and Life Fitness selectorized machines and free weights.Added to the cardio area were Precorand Life Fitness ellipticals, treadmillsand bikes. In addition, the locker rooms,basketball court floor, saunas and lobbywere fully remodeled.Natcher Physical Fitness Center iscurrently undergoing a renovation thatincludes painting the interior, remodeling the offices, refinishing the basketballcourt, and resurfacing the indoor running track.“Funding has been secured to beginrenovating two physical fitness centers,”notes Wicker. “Gammon PFC will beadding a child care center and renovating the front portion of the facility toinclude a juice bar. Smith PFC will befully renovated to include the construction of an indoor climbing structure.”In the past year, Fort Knox has“greatly increased and diversified thefitness programs we offer our community,” notes Wicker. The post now offers12 different aerobics classes throughoutthe week, including Zumba, which is itsmost popular class.Fort Knox also has a Memorandumof Agreement with the Director of Emergency Services Fire Division to deliver afitness training program for the firefighterpersonnel utilizing an MWR personaltrainer to increase the fitness levels offirefighters and decrease injuries. Personaltraining is conducted twice a day, fivedays a week. The MWR trainer providesfitness assessments every 12 weeks andrefines the fitness regime to the individualfirefighter.THE GREAT OUTDOORSFort Knox offers many outdoorrecreation trips and activities such aspaintball, whitewater kayaking, skydiving,rock climbing, mountain biking, wakeboarding, snow skiing, and canoeing, toname a few of the more popular ones.The Kilianski Sports Complex, CampCarlson Recreation Area, and EastmanPark and Amphitheater each offer parkand picnic areas and feature playgrounds.“We present several special eventseach year,” notes Matt Enoch, CPRP, community program coordinator. “With theconstruction of the Eastman Park andAmphitheater, we will be able to provideour community with more concerts andentertainment events throughout the year.”For those who like competition, intramural-level sports are designed forbroad-based participation in a full rangeof individual and team sports consistent with patron interest, availability ofsuitable facilities and unit missions. Toenhance and promote unit participationin intramural sports, Fort Knox offers theCommander’s Cup Program.“Sports are provided to enhance individual morale and unit Esprit de Corps,promote teamwork and cooperation, andencourage individuals to attain and sustain high levels of physical fitness,” notesWicker. All intramural sports championsand runners-up receive awards providedby MWR at the end of a particular sportsseason.“Kilianski Sports Complex is oneof the finest facilities in the state ofGOVERNMENT RECREATION & FITNESS OCTOBER 2010