Submitted photo Col. Jesse Lamarand, 5th Bomb Wing commander, cuts the ribbon on the new Dome Fitness Center at Minot Air Force Base on Friday. From left are Master Chief Sgt. Wayne Sharp, Chief of 5 Bomb Wing; Lamarand; Sally Johnson, representing US Senator John Hoeven; Airman 1st Class Chris Martin, 5th Force Support Squadron fitness specialist; US Senator Kevin Cramer; Minot Mayor Tom Ross; Col James Schlabach, 91st Missile Wing; Chief Master Sgt. Becky Thomas, 91st Missile Wing Command Chief.

Minot Air Force Base celebrated the grand opening of its fitness center dome on Friday.

The Minot AFB Fitness Center Dome is an all-season bubble-style covering that allows base residents to use the facilities year-round. It is an extension of the McAdoo Fitness Center and will host activities such as fitness assessments, intramural sports, group fitness classes and in-facility physical training.

With the cold and snowy winter months around the corner, I was honored to join the @Team Minot community at the grand opening of their new fitness center. This indoor facility will go a long way toward boosting morale and improving the quality of life for North Dakota service members and their families even on the coldest of days,” said U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-ND, who attended the big event. opening event.

In August, Cramer visited Minot AFB with Air Force Undersecretary Melissa Dalton, where she spoke about Airmen’s quality of life, access to mental health resources and staff support. The Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act advanced a 4.5 percent pay increase for military members and a 2 percent pay increase for civilian Department of Defense employees, expanded mental health services and tele- mental health and authorized funding for the repair and improvement of enlisted barracks. .

The FY 2023 National Defense Authorization Act also included a 4.6 percent pay increase for service members and an increase in the basic housing allowance, as well as the payment of special fees for members stationed with cold weather, including Minot AFB, which was deployed in July.