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Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point held a groundbreaking ceremony Friday morning for a new fitness center for its personnel. The 93,000 square foot center will replace a 13,260 square foot gym that has existed in a converted warehouse since 1997.
Officers say the base has been undergoing improvements for more than 30 years. In addition to the construction of a fitness facility and aquatics training center, construction is currently underway on a new theater, fire station and hangar.
Conceptual drawing of the completed Future Center
Whiting Turner Contracting Company will perform the construction.
Chief Operating Officer Jonathan Mason (Bill Hand/New Bern Live)
The facility will cost $57.7 million. Chief operations officer Jonathan Mason said a number of facilities on campus and elsewhere were considered when planning the new center. When it comes to long-term projects, “more than $1 billion has been invested in Cherry Point alone.”
Commander Christopher Over, the building director, said base officials are looking forward to the facility’s completion. “The Marines and Sailors are very, very excited about this. They’re going to have a hard time staying patient as construction progresses,” he said. The current gymnasium is actually spread over four buildings. All fitness and aquatic facilities will be in one building. ”
Commander Christopher Over (Bill Hand / New Bern Live)
“This is a monumental time for Cherry Point,” said Col. Brendan Burks, the commanding officer. “This will be our first dedicated gym here. This gym will give our Marines the physical advantage they need to move forward and carry out our nation’s orders. Your efforts will be greatly appreciated. I cannot thank you enough.”
“We’ve been stuck in warehouse space, so to have something here that was specifically made for them is certainly a great opportunity and a great investment,” Mason said.
The center is scheduled to open in fall 2026.
