100th CES puts final touches on its new building

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Clark Staehle
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  Airmen and civilian employees of the 100th Civil Engineer Squadron are busy preparing to move to the new CE complex on Maine Avenue, which is slated to open in early spring. 

Construction on the building, which began in October 2006, is expected to wrap up by the end of January, after which furniture will be moved in and communications lines installed. The building is slated to be open by the end of March. 

"Construction will consolidate all of the (100th CES) administrative functions currently spread across a number of facilities into one 3,008 square-meter facility," said Paul Hodson, 100th CES project manager for the new building. 

A facility of that size works out to more than 32,000 square feet. 

Much of the CE squadron is located in Buildings 439, 443 and 444, near Washington Square. Those buildings will be razed and replaced with a parking lot to better facilitate the units in that area. The dates for the demolition and the subsequent construction have yet to be determined. 

The new building is the first part of a two-phase construction project, and will house all of the squadron's administrative purviews: the operations, engineering, resources, environmental and readiness flights. Money for the second phase has been allocated for fiscal 2013, and it is now being designed. It will collocate such industrial shops as electric and heating.

In other construction news 

"What happened to all the trees by the shoppette?" was a phrase people may have been asking for several weeks. 

The 100th CES is building a new carwash closer to the base exchange, which will make it more convenient to use. 

"The new (personally owned vehicle) car wash is a purpose built all-encompassing, modern facility; designed to be efficient and built with the user and safety in mind," said Tony Rawson, 100th CES project manager. "In comparison, the old POV carwash is inadequate for current customer demand, and is beyond economic repair." 

The $850,000 project, which is due to be completed sometime this summer, is slated to feature a roll-over carwash, like the one currently available; two jet washes; two vacuums; and a change machine. 

"The new location provides more space for the user, more capacity for vehicles, better safety visibility through clear glass siding, 95 percent water recycling capability and could be open to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week," Mr. Rawson said. 

The decision to replace the current facility was made in response to the current carwash's contracts, capacity, age and ability to serve the community. 

"Primarily, we wanted to provide a safer, efficient and economic facility," Mr. Rawson said. "Its predecessor was beyond feasible repair, and in the wrong location. Also, providing this type of amenity significantly improves the quality of life for the military and family members serving at RAF Mildenhall." 

"Going from one carwash to three is going to increase the volume of people who get their cars washed," said Michael Fitzmaurice, 100th Services Squadron deputy. "A lot of people like to spray and wash their cars themselves, so they go to RAF Lakenheath. At Mildenhall, we'll be able to take care of our own." 

Those concerned about the fate of the trees that were cut down needn't lose too much sleep - the stand of the trees had always been earmarked for harvest, and more are on the way: the 100th CES is planning to plant Scots pines as a part of the car wash's landscaping plan.