Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) helped cut the ribbon to open a comprehensive new Flight Deck Community Center at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst on Wednesday, which will serve civilians and service members of all military branches.

“This impressive new facility is a much-needed upgrade from the old center which was decades-old, and will serve as a useful hub at the base for the service men and women, and their families, who have made sacrifices for our nation,” said Smith, who voted for legislation that appropriated the funding for the construction of the new center. “I remain committed to ensuring that the Joint Base receives the funding and upgrades it requires to retain its premier status as our nation’s only tri-service joint installation.”

Wednesday’s ribbon-cutting marked the first of two important milestones for construction at the Joint Base, the second of which will be the groundbreaking ceremony of a new facility for the anticipated KC-46A refueling tankers. Smith worked with Rep. Tom MacArthur (R-NJ) and other members of the New Jersey delegation to bring the tankers to the base, and over $156 million in projects related to the arrival of the KC-46As have already been authorized in FY 2018 and 2019 Defense appropriations.

“Tom and I were happy to work together to support the base. This is what teamwork can produce,” Smith said.

The brand-new community center will consolidate many services at the base into “one-stop shopping,” offering information tickets and travel, outdoor recreation, food service, and other facilities like meeting rooms, a training room theater with stadium seating and a game room Cyber Lounge, all at one central location, said Captain Muhammad Khan, the Joint Base Deputy Commander—Navy and the Commander of Naval Support Activity Lakehurst, in his remarks at the ribbon-cutting.

Efforts to modernize the facility began 15 years ago but were delayed due to the joint basing process. Finally, the project moved forward and was awarded to American Corporation of Brick, NJ, for a $4.5 million contract in September of 2016; construction began in January of 2017.

Funding for the construction of the Flight Deck Community Center—$4.8 million—came from additional funding of the Facilities Sustainment, Restoration and Modernization (SRM) Fund, provided for in the FY2016 Omnibus which Rep. Smith voted for.

Smith was welcomed at the ribbon-cutting, along with Rep. MacArthur, by Captain Khan: “I’d also like to welcome Congressmen MacArthur and Congressman Smith – who have been vocal advocates for the base to ensure we are equipped with the equipment, facilities and personnel we need to operate this installation.”

“Service members, civilians, and families will now have a great place to gather on Lakehurst and will truly improve the services we are able to offer to our joint base community,” Captain Khan stated.