Callaghan Center celebrates grand re-opening

CALLAGHAN CENTER CELEBRATES GRAND RE-OPENING

BY ANNA TAYLOR • PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST PHOTOS BY SHAYNE HENSLEY • NNSY PHOTOGRAPHER After a three-year renovation project, the Callaghan Fitness and Sports Center at Norfolk Naval Shipyard celebrated its grand re-opening Friday, April 15.

Missy Brown, wife of Shipyard Commander Capt. Scott Brown; Command Master Chief Michael Reese, Chad Rickner, NNSY Morale, Welfare and Recreation director; and Capt. John Malfitano, Commander Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Fleet and Family Readiness Program director, participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Improvements to the facility include completely updated locker rooms, new group and cardiovascular exercise areas, and new racquetball courts.

Built in 1941, the Callaghan Fitness and Sports Center looks and feels like a brand-new gym, but it’s one of the shipyard’s many historic buildings and the namesake an American hero, Rear Adm. Daniel J. Callaghan.

“Renovating a facility built in 1941 revealed many unforeseen challenges to overcome,” said Rickner. “Our team worked very hard to find solutions. The facility improvements allow our MWR Fitness Professionals to deliver the best fitness programs to keep patrons motivated to maintain a healthy lifestyle.”

Among his favorite changes is the open-concept floor plan in the second floor cardio area.

“This space provides multiple training and fitness opportunities to all patrons as well as a more enjoyable fitness experience,” he said. “We’re also very excited about our new High Intensity Training Zone.”

Left: the newly remodeled weight room at the Callaghan Fitness and Sports Center. Bottom: the new cardiovascular exercise space has an open-concept floor plan and a wide variety of machines.

Rickner said the fitness center’s patrons are priority number one, and providing a modern and functional fitness center helps contribute to mission readiness, as well as the overall fitness and wellness of the NNSY community.

“We are extremely proud and pleased with our newly renovated facility,” said Rickner. “Our fitness professionals can help you reach your fitness goals, and we hope to see you at Callaghan Fitness and Sports Center!”

REAR ADM. DANIEL J. CALLAGHAN Rear Adm. Daniel J. Callaghan was killed aboard USS San Francisco (CA 38) during an engagement with the Japanese fleet at the Battle of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands November 13, 1942. President Franklin D. Roosevelt posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor to Callaghan December 9, 1942.

“Although out-balanced in strength and numbers by a desperate and determined enemy, Rear Admiral Callaghan, with ingenious tactical skill and superb coordination of the units under his command, led his

forces into battle against tremendous odds, thereby contributing decisively to the rout of a powerful, invasion fleet and to the consequent frustration of a formidable Japanese offensive,” the medal citation reads. “While faithfully directing close-range operations in the face of furious bombardment by superior enemy fire-power, he was killed on the bridge of his flagship.”

In 1943, the previously unnamed fitness center at Norfolk Naval Shipyard would be formally christened in Callaghan’s name and a plaque erected above the main entrance.

MAY 2016 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • 27