Page 32 - mch0417_Magazine

RECREATIONAL LODGING

MWR Builds
Recreational Cabin

esponding to leisure needs sur-
veys over several years, Pine
RBluff Arsenal’s (PBA) Family
Morale, Welfare and Recreation
(MWR) directorate in Arkansas at Pine Bluff Arsenal
discovered that recreational cab-
ins were something the Arsenal’s
workforce and families wanted.
“For several years, cabins had been talked about
but were never a top priority because we didn’t have the money,” said Missy
Brodnax, MWR director. “From time to time, the U.S. Army Installation Management Command [IMCOM]
opens up windows of funding for redistribution. Over the years, we have gone in for funds to do the most important
things, such as repairs and upgrades of facilities. This year, we decided to put in for the cabin project and it was funded.”
The total cost of the cabin was approximately $147,000. “A lot of individuals were involved with this project,” she
said. “Carla Easterling was the contract representative. Vonda Davis handled all the finances, making sure to get all the
information to IMCOM. Gloria Davis, MWR lodging manager, has taken over the keys now and is getting it ready. It
is her baby.”
Brodnax said that RV slots were also funded, but were canceled because of expense. “We decided to put the IMCOM
money toward the cabin,” she said. “Several installations — Red River Army Ammunition Plant and McAlester Army
Ammunition Plant included — have these cabins and they are big money makers for these installations. Army lodging
is one of MWR’s biggest money-generating areas.”
MWR’s long-range plan is to have four cabins built and some RV pads in the Tulley Lake area. “Gloria is going to
track the usage of this first cabin and see where we are in a year or so,” said Brodnax. “It is a kind of a wait and see.”
According to regulations, this first cabin had to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, said Brodnax.
The cabin, which will officially be called “Cabin in the Pines,” is a one-bedroom with living area, bath, galley
kitchen and loft. “The bathroom is really big,”
said Gloria Davis, who has furnished and
decorated the cabin. “The loft is really nice.
I was concerned at first because there is no
handle at the top of the ladder to take you
on up into the loft, however, two guys from
PBA’s Directorate of Public Works were able
to get up in the loft with no trouble.”
The rental rate for the cabin is $65 per
night, which is comparable to cabins at other
installations. “I plan to stay a night before we
open it to the public to make sure everything
is working properly — like the heat, etc.,”
said Davis.
The cabin is open for rental by active-duty
and retired military, Department of Defense
employees and retirees, contractors and more.
Rental guests will have to adhere to all PBA
regulations and vetting requirements.

32 MILITARY CLUB & HOSPITALITY | APRIL 2017