Submitted Photo
Col. Jesse Lamarand, 5th Bomb Wing commander, cuts the ribbon on the new Fitness Center Dome at Minot Air Force Base Friday. From left are Chief Master Sgt. Wayne Sharp, 5th Bomb Wing chief; Lamarand; Sally Johnson, representing U.S. Sen. John Hoeven; Airman 1st Class Chris Martin, 5th Force Support Squadron fitness specialist; U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer; Minot Mayor Tom Ross; Col James Schlabach, 91st Missile Wing; Chief Master Sgt. Becky Thomas, 91st Missile Wing command chief.

Minot Air Force Base celebrated the grand opening of its fitness center dome on Friday.

The Minot AFB Fitness Center Dome is an all-season bubble-style covering, which allows base residents to use facilities year-round. It’s an extension of the McAdoo Fitness Center and will host activities such as physical fitness assessments, intermural sports, group fitness classes and unit physical training.

With cold, snowy winter months around the corner, I was honored to join the @Team Minot community at the grand opening of their new fitness center. This indoor facility will go a long way in boosting morale and improving the quality of life for North Dakota’s service members and their families on even the most frigid days,” said U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-ND, who participated in in the grand opening event.

In August, Cramer had visited Minot AFB with Under Secretary of the Air Force Melissa Dalton, where they talked about airmen’s quality of life, access to mental health resources and personnel support. The fiscal year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act advanced a 4.5% pay raise for military members and a 2% pay raise for Department of Defense civilian employees, expanded mental health services and tele-mental health services, and authorized funding to repair and improve enlisted barracks.

The fiscal year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act also included a 4.6% pay raise for service members and an increase in Basic Allowance for Housing, as well as special duty pay for members based in cold-weather locations, including Minot AFB, which was implemented in July.