As part of a generous grant from Commander, Navy Installations Command and the Office of the Secretary of Defense, NAS Whidbey Island’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation department received a wide range of equipment and facility upgrades that further improve quality of life for Sailors and Marines.

The fitness center received two grants totaling $248,000, which were used to purchase a wide range of new cardiovascular equipment including 10 treadmills, four ellipticals, four upright lifecycle bikes, three crosstrainers, two recumbent bikes, a stepper, a summit trainer, three rowers and 12 new spinning bikes.

Upgrades in strength equipment include a lateral rowing machine, a power squat rack, a Nautilus incline leg press, two flat-incline benches, weight racks and a variety of dumbbell sets.

A FreeMotion selectorized line will soon replace the equipment currently in the Nautilus room and includes equipment for chest, shoulders, biceps, triceps, quads, hamstrings, abdominals and laterals, as well as rowing, lifting, stepping, and dual cable cross functions.

Other miscellaneous purchases included elite rings, weight plates, climbing and training ropes, kettlebells, coreballs, plyoboxes and a variety of cable attachments.

“We’re pleased that this grant allowed us to truly respond to our customers’ needs and bring an even higher level of quality to our facilities,” said Russ Gale, MWR Installation Program Manager.

As a result of the new equipment purchases, MWR was additionally able to fulfill another frequent customer request for better equipment for Sailors and Marines living in the barracks.

“We’ve moved much of our old, but still in very good shape, gym equipment to the barracks common area, which is still in the process of being set up. This will allow single Sailors and Marines, who live in the barracks, 24 hour access to the equipment,” Gale said.

With $45,000 that was part of the same grant, the Liberty Northwest Center has made dramatic improvements to its facility. Purchases include new computer chairs and stools, gaming chairs, X-Box 360’s with a 250GB hard drive and built in Wi-Fi, television stands, a corner cue rack and end tables for Wi-Fi seating. Two pool tables were additionally leveled and re-covered for optimum play.

The 8-millimeter movie viewing room received a major facelift that included a Bose Acoustimass 16 Series II Home Entertainment Speaker System, a Boxlight projection system, new acoustic paneling and 12 new recliners with built in cupholders.

To support a variety of programs and events, Liberty additionally obtained an LED Reader Board to promote trips and events, an 18-hole disc golf system, a DJ in a box complete with 5000 songs and an iPod docking station and six Easy-Up party shade canopies.

Crescent Harbor Adventures has added Trek mountain bikes, a stand-up paddle board, new sea kayaks, new GPS units and new avalanche beacons to their array of rental inventory.

General Quarters Paintball also received a piece of the pie, with purchases of 30 new paintball markers, tanks and barrel covers, as well as a new air compressor and field safety net.

“We are continually trying to improve our programs and services and these grants go a long ways towards helping us better serve our community,” said Gale.