U.S. Special Operations Command-Central cut the ribbon on a new outdoor human performance facility at MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Fla., June 3, 2020.
The facility provides the opportunity to conduct a safe and socially distant workout while allowing a venue to maintain personal wellness. SOCCENT deemed it necessary to open the outdoor facility during a time where most public fitness facilities are closed due to COVID-19.
Construction workers began tear down procedures of the existing base supply and equipment shed, March 6, 2020, that has transformed into the new U.S. Special Operations Command-Central’s human performance outdoor facility at MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Fla. (Photo by U.S. Army SSG Steven M. Colvin/released)
Rear Admiral H. Wyman Howard III, SOCCENT commander, performed the ribbon cutting, and thanked the teammates that were able to attend.
“This is a great moment for us to be able to expand the HP [human performance] facilities,” said Howard. “With this new workout area, our teammates will have ample room to perform workouts necessary to keep the team fit for the fight.”
The facility is nearly the length of an American football field; stretching 247 feet, half of the flooring is made of synthetic turf and the remainder is rubber matting for the equipment workout area. New lighting and industrial fans were installed throughout the facility as well as a purified drinking station. The open-air, yet covered space allows athletes to work out without being exposed to the direct sunlight.
Above is a rendered image depicting what U.S. Special Operations Command-Central’s new human performance outdoor facility at MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Fla., will look like when additional fitness equipment is added. The facility is 247 feet long and 36 feet wide – 130 feet of the flooring is made of synthetic turf and the rest is made of rubber matting for the equipment workout area. (Photo by U.S. Army SSG Steven M. Colvin/released)
After the ceremony, Mike Renteria, the SOCCENT strength and conditioning coach, invited a small group of personnel to stay for the initial workout session at the new facility.
This workout area is the first expansion-phase of the HP facilities. There are plans for two more buildings located on the SOCCENT campus to be converted as indoor HP facilities.
U.S. Special Operations Command-Central personnel participate in the initial exercise session after the ribbon cutting ceremony of the new human performance outdoor facility located on the SOCCENT campus at MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Fla., June 3, 2020. (Photo by U.S. Army SSG Steven M. Colvin/released)
“The expansion of our Human Performance Training Center is going to be a world class facility, with the best trainers, for the best warriors in the world,” said U.S. Army Maj. Juan Salas, SOCCENT Headquarters Commandant. “It will serve as the pinnacle for all Special Operations Forces while stationed at MacDill AFB.”
The expansion and renovation project for the HP workout areas, physical therapy and rehabilitation facilities will span three fiscal years – 2019, 2020 and 2021.
The new U.S. Special Operations Command-Central human performance outdoor facility was dedicated at MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Fla., June 3, 2020. The new facility awaits the final phase of its transformation – the installation of equipment. (Photo by U.S. Army SSG Steven M. Colvin/released)
“The project is moving nicely,” said Salas. “The gym equipment will be installed in the new buildings by September of this year.”
The project is scheduled to be completed before the end of 2020.