Minuteman Commons is new model for clubs across Air Force

  • Published
  • By Mark Wyatt
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Over the past year there have been several changes to services offered to the base community as a result of the Global Base Support initiative. As a result, officials from the 66th Force Support Squadron have overhauled many base programs to continue to offer important services for the Hanscom community.

The Minuteman Commons, named to reflect the notion that the building is the center of the community, is one example that has become a model for other clubs across the Air Force to follow.

The facility transformed last summer from a co-located club with two separate bars, a dining room serving lunch and evening meals that was not making a profit, to a facility that is profitable and offers much greater flexibility in how personnel use the facility.

"The biggest success over the past year has been the capability of this building," said Meaghan Meyers, Sustainment Services Flight chief. "It's not just about food anymore."

It's about bringing the Hanscom community together under one roof, staff members explain.

"For example, on a regular basis you'll see people in the Commons with their brown bag lunches using the open Wi-Fi or playing table tennis," said Russell Jackson, 66th Force Support Squadron programs and project manager.

In addition, squadron officials increased the amount of foot traffic in the building by moving the lodging front desk into the Commons as a way to showcase the facility.

"We have more than 60,000 people who come into lodging each year. We estimate that sixty-percent of them are space-available travelers who have come here to visit Boston," said Meyers. "What better way to provide a more hotel-like atmosphere than to have your lodging check-in desk in the same building as a lounge and a restaurant?"

Base personnel also now have the opportunity to use any of the function rooms in the building as a traditionally catered event, or now as a pot luck-style menu with meals brought from outside the facility.

"The old club rules don't apply here anymore," said Meyers. "If you're on a tight budget and want to bring food in for your event, you can now do that here; you're not required to use the caterer."

However, for those planning an event with a need for catering, several menu options are available by the caterer, Coast2Coast Catering.

"They have the capability to do cotton candy and fried dough machines, sausage carts as well as an ice cream truck, for example. Just about anything goes with them," Meyers said. "They can come to your birthday party at Castle Park or cater an event in your home. It's not just about what's going on in this building. They're here to serve the community."

As the facility continues to evolve, new concepts are introduced in an effort to continue meeting customer requests.

"We've placed a lot of effort towards our First Friday program," Meyers continued. "We now open The Tavern at 3 p.m. each first Friday of the month and provide live entertainment. We'll also be starting this season's Football Frenzy program for pre-season football games beginning early next month."

"We want people excited about the Commons," said Jackson. "The great thing about this model is that the Minuteman Commons has become the central hub for community events on base such as a dog show on August 18."

For more information on the Minuteman Commons and upcoming events, visit www.hanscomservices.com.