Original Mildenhall Bowling Alley undergoing demolition

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Eric Petosky
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  The original RAF Mildenhall bowling alley began its four-month demolition process this month to pave the way for more parking behind the Bob Hope Community Center. 

The building was rendered obsolete in 2004 after construction was completed on the new bowling center next to Heritage Park. 

According to Steve Perry, 100th Civil Engineer Squadron U.S. Visiting Forces project manager, the old building is too expensive to maintain. Besides the benefit of added parking, demolishing Building 400 also helps RAF Mildenhall meet specific anti-terrorism force protection measures. 

"Parking is at a premium at the commissary, so this is a definite plus up," Mr. Perry said. "After the new car park is constructed, the amount of available parking will almost double. It also pushes us toward a safer environment." 

The project, which costs about $340,000, is headed by Haymills Contractors Limited. 

The demolition will occur in four major phases. First, contractors will safely remove any asbestos. Then the water, sewer and electrical lines will be isolated and removed. 

Afterward, the building will be demolished, starting from the roof all the way down to the foundation, and the remains hauled away. 

In the final phase, the area will be leveled, resurfaced, and painted. The new car park is scheduled to open sometime in May. 

The old bowling alley was built in 1950, according to 100th Air Refueling Wing historian John Williamson. It was primarily used as a bowling center until 2004. Since then it has been used as a temporary supplemental warehouse by AAFES. 

The demolition is just one of dozens of projects planned for RAF Mildenhall during the next 10 years. Other projects include demolishing Building 443, the current 100th CES headquarters, after the squadron moves into its new multi-million dollar facility.