With two gyms already on the Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, you wouldn’t think a third one would be needed, but you’d be wrong. The East and West gyms are small, crowded, and filled with equipment that leaves no room for indoor basketball. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 3 p.m. today on the base for a new physical fitness center. Wilburn Gym is named after Sergeant Major Ray Wilburn, a former Marine and long-time resident of Twentynine Palms who died January 2 at age 98. The new Wilburn gym will be a state-of-the-art facility for military service members and their families. For the past 7 months, the Marine Corps has, in coordination with the base Public Works Department, MCCS Semper Fit, Facility Engineering Acquisition Division, Facilities Maintenance Department, and a veteran-owned small business contractor, have been converting a former warehouse for the old base exchange off 5th Street into a 30,000 square-foot gym. It includes brand new locker rooms and more than $1 million in upgraded equipment. A dedication ceremony was held last Friday at which the new gym was named after Sergeant Major Wilburn, with members of his family present.
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Participants:
- Commanding General MGen. William F. Mullen
- MCCS Director Brent Norquist
- Semper Fit Director Brad Brimhall
- Public Works Officer CDR Juan Chavira
- FEAD Director LCDR Michael Collins
- Construction Manager LT Alex Bedley
- Engineering Tech Margie Trandem
