Airmen and women at Hanscom Air Force Base in Bedford, Massachusetts now have a brand new dormitory, courtesy of the New England District.
New England District team members joined Col. Chad Ellsworth, Commander, 66th Air Base Group, and contractors, J&J and BBIX Construction, at a ribbon cutting ceremony, Dec. 4 at Hanscom Air Force Base.
“We’re here today to mark the construction completion of the $13.2 million base dormitory project,” said Col. William Conde, New England District Commander. “The project consists of a design-build new three-story 66-bedroom 25,000 square-foot military dormitory.”
According to Col. Conde, the design-build contract was awarded to BBIX, LLC of Boston, Massachusetts on Aug. 8, 2016. Design construction began in the spring of 2017. A groundbreaking ceremony took place at the project site on March 13, 2017. “The project took approximately 24 months to complete,” he said. “There were numerous challenges, but the team persevered and the dormitory project was completed successfully.”
Col. Conde discussed the details of the new building superstructure that is composite deck on structural steel. Exterior wall finishes are a combination of masonry veneer at the lower level and Exterior Insulation Finish System above. “The roof is a light-gauge metal frame carrying a sloped, standing-seam metal roof assembly with full perimeter gutters,” he said. “The dormitory expanded, with new stripping and handicap spaces, the existing parking lot to the east.”
The District commander praised the District’s team of partners that included the local congressional delegation, the 66th Air Base Group, Hanscom Air Force Base, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the District’s contractors. “The team has done an excellent job of working together to plan, organize and execute design and construction of this important project that will better serve the needs of our Military Service,” said Col. Conde. “We welcome continued partnerships of this kind to help support the vitally important military readiness of the 66th Air Base Group, the U.S. Air Force, the Hanscom Air Force Base members, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the nation.”
Other speakers included Col. Ellsworth, Airman First Class Summer Carrion and Airman First Class Dominik Daigneault, two of the first residents of the new dorm. Chaplain (Maj.) William Logan delivered the invocation. After the presentations, Col. Conde joined Col. Ellsworth, Chief Master Sergeant Henry Hayes, the 66th Air Force Group Command Chief, Mr. Thomas Schluckebier, Base Civil Engineer, Carrion and Daigneault at the front of the room to cut the ribbon.