More than just 5Ks, MWR offers support and leisure services

INSTALLAT Color Me Awesome race participants throw colored powder in the air during the 2016 run.

Photo by Shayne Hensley, NNSY Photographer.

MORE THAN JUST 5KS, NNSY MWR OFFERS SUPPORT AND LEISURE SERVICES FOR ALL SHIPYARD EMPLOYEES

BY ANNA TAYLOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST 26 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • APRIL 2018

The popularity of family fun-runs and races has ballooned in the last few years. But what if running a 5K at 9 a.m. isn’t exactly your idea of a good time? Don’t fret. Norfolk Naval Shipyard’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation team has something for everyone, and running shoes are optional.

MWR offers a comprehensive network of support and leisure services for Sailors, civilians, families, and retirees to support the shipyard workforce’s recreation and resilience.

“Our mission is to provide quality of life services for the installation,” said MWR Director Chad Rickner. “We offer recreational opportunities at a great value, from races to playgrounds and bowling to catering, we have a lot of capabilities, and we have a lot of resources and equipment.”

According to Rickner, many of NNSY MWR’s amenities are underutilized because shipyard employees don’t realize they are eligible to use them.

“If you are a Department of Defense ID card holder, you can use essentially any service we offer,” said Rickner. “There are a few things that are targeted to younger, single Sailors, but for the most part, any MWR facility or program can be used by any shipyard employee with a Common Access Card.”

That includes the Dry Dock Club’s catering and hospitality services.

“The Dry Dock Club’s catering and conference center offers great service in a beautiful facility that’s available for all of our shipyard community to use, whether it’s a wedding or a banquet or a birthday party,” said Rickner.

MWR’s amenities also include the Navy Community Recreation Tickets and Travel Office, located at Strike Zone and Mariners Reef Liberty Center, which provides tickets to amusement parks (including Disney attractions), Norfolk Tides and Admirals games, and even movie tickets at an

TION

LEFT: Giant holiday cards on display following the 2017 decorating competition. BELOW: A costumed group of volunteers at Haunted Happenings. BOTTOM: A table setting at the Dry Dock Club, MWR's full-service catering and event-hosting facility. Photos courtesy MWR.

Photo by Anna Taylor, Public Affairs Specialist unbeatable price. MWR is also part of the Military Ticket Program, which provides the ability to sell tickets to hundreds of attractions, so if even if it’s not listed, chances are MWR can sell it.

For employees with an adventurous side, MWR’s Outback Rentals can provide for virtually any outdoor need.

“From camping trailers and equipment to boats, kayaks and canoes, we have it all,” said Rickner. “We have canopies, chairs and tables for your next party, and aerators, mowers and tillers for your yard. We’re also the only outdoor rental shop that stocks skiing equipment during the winter.”

Rickner said MWR wants people to be excited about going outside.

“A lot of people never had the opportunity to try stand-up paddle boarding or camping or hiking. We want to get people in nature, so you’ll see a lot of new initiatives coming up with trips and clinics and various adventures to get people motivated, including kayaking, surfing, and stand up paddle boarding, to name a few. Our Community Recreation program will also participate in the Great Navy Campout this summer.”

MWR provides innovative solutions to make recreation easy for everyone.

“Some people think they can’t go paddle boarding because they don’t drive a pickup truck, or they don’t have a roof rack,” explained Rickner. “But we just added inflatable stand-up paddle boards and kayaks

to our inventory, and they fit in the trunk of your car. They’re extremely high quality, so now anyone can go do it. They’re really awesome.”

If you’d rather start small before heading out into open water, check out the 25-yard outdoor pool at Scott Center Annex to take advantage of its leisure swimming and aquatics physical training. Programming includes open swim, lap swimming, lessons and specialty programs, such as aqua-aerobics.

Rickner said MWR is also working on adding a splash and play area at the pool.

And don’t forget about Strike Zone, MWR’s full-service bowling facility that provides an array of features, including a fullservice snack bar and grill, plus space to host birthday parties, office gatherings, and even large command functions. Strike Zone also offers recreational internet computers and six-foot projection screens to watch sporting events.

“Our lanes are certified and offer industryleading scoring systems to go along with the extreme cosmic lighting,” said Rickner.

His goal is for people to realize MWR is about more than just facilities and equipment, though.

“If you have an idea, we can help you get there. For example, we have a paintball arena someone could rent for a team building event on base,” he said. “We are in the 'fun' business, which requires us to have a fun and innovative outlook when we come to work every day, and we enjoy working with Sailors and civilians to come up with exciting opportunities.

We are also very family friendly, and we try to focus on our community events, like the Eggstravaganza, Haunted Happenings, and the ever-popular Color Me Awesome run.

All of these events are free and open to the shipyard community. Our programs have been growing in popularity and we even get

people from other installations in the region coming out to participate.”

MWR offers child and youth programs, too, like a summer camp for kids ages five to 12, a teen program that hosts college tours, various sports leagues, and childcare for children ages six weeks to five years.

Rickner is excited about MWR’s future at the shipyard, especially the many upgrades planned for the upcoming year.

“I think people will start seeing some great changes at Scott Center Annex. We have several new things in the works,” said Rickner.

“We’ve upgraded a lot of the fencing, all of the picnic areas are getting a facelift, and we’re upgrading the playgrounds and resurfacing the basketball courts.”

Last May, NNSY MWR was acknowledged as one of the Navy's top programs, earning five-star accreditation from Commander, Naval Installations Command (CNIC).

“As a community, we serve a really broad customer base,” said Rickner. “And if we provide them with recreational outlets and other programs, it leads to a more productive workforce. We do our part to provide services for families so our Sailors and civilians can concentrate on their mission and be successful.”

APRIL 2018 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • 27