Aragon Dining Facility

Renovations are ongoing at the Aragon Dining Facility. The facility is expected to reopen Aug. 1; one half of the facility features a Colorado bar scene, with stone finish, etched glass and high bar stools and tables. This sports side of the facility will also have six televisions. The $1.8 million renovation project also includes a new disabled-accessible doorway, a new entrance, new restroom facilities and a new heating, ventilating and air conditioning unit. (U.S. Air Force photo/Monica Mendoza)

Aragon Dining Facility expected to reopen in August

Published June 30, 2010
By Monica Mendoza
21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The Aragon Dining Facility is new again and expected to reopen Aug. 1.

Construction crews are putting the final touches on the $1.8 million renovation project that included a total revamp of the restrooms, a new heating, ventilating and air conditioning unit and a whole new fresh and modern look.

"It's coming along -- the furniture is on its way," said Capt. Jesse Johnson, 21st Force Support Squadron sustainment services flight commander.

The Aragon dining facility can get back to serving more than 10,000 meals each month, most of those to Airmen who live on base in the dormitories and use a meal card.

These past four months, while the dining hall was closed, Airmen who had meal cards were placed on Basic Allowance for Subsistence, which is meant to offset the cost of meals. Since April 15, about 300 Airmen have received BAS each month in their paychecks to cover their meals for the period of the renovation. Those payments will conclude in the July 31 paycheck.

"If I lived in the dorms, I would like to come back to not having to worry about getting food," Captain Johnson said.

On entering the dining hall, Airmen will notice a newly revamped serving line, designed so there is no cross flow to move folks through the line faster. To the right is the sports bar motif, featuring photos and etched glass designs of Colorado sports teams. To the left is the fine dining area, which features contemporary French glass doors that can be closed off for private meetings.

The facility meets the American with Disability Act requirements and the wing's Facilities Excellence Program, which sets out to make every building functional, cost effective, energy efficient and attractive.

The Airman's dining facility, which first opened in 1970, more than meets the wing's facilities excellence program, Captain Johnson said. "It epitomizes facilities excellence."