SAN NICOLAS ISLAND, Calif. (NNS) – Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) celebrated the grand opening of the “Fox Den” multiuse Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) meals and beverage facility onboard San Nicolas Island (SNI) Feb. 16, 2022.
A ribbon slicing ceremony welcomed all Sailors and civilians engaged on SNI, probably the most distant of the Channel Islands, off the Southern California coast.
“This has been years within the making,” mentioned Cdr. Keith “Fudge” Buckingham, officer in cost, SNI. “The Fox Den is an enormous enchancment to meals service, morale and the standard of life on the island.”
The constructing was initially opened as a navy galley in 1952. The Navy determined to repurpose it as a multiuse MWR facility in 2018, and broke floor on the undertaking one 12 months later. The development was a gut-renovation that included main structure adjustments.
“There are unimaginable logistic challenges to working and residing on an island,” mentioned Buckingham. “The technique of getting development supplies is a barge or C-130 multi-mission transport plane. Nonetheless, the barge methodology is unreliable as a result of the island doesn’t have a harbor. Deliveries are made to our wharf from a free-floating vessel which are depending on calm ocean circumstances.”
The Fox Den was funded as a Lengthy-Time period Upkeep (LTM) Particular Challenge that value roughly $7 million {dollars}.
“I work at SNI between 4 to 11 days straight,” mentioned Air Visitors Controller 2nd Class Petty Officer Olivia Lujan, assigned the NBVC. “That is important to Sailors like me who rely upon this facility for meals and fundamental wants, particularly through the tough responsibility weekends after we really feel remoted from the mainland.”
Through the work week, contract development crews lived via a mixture of non permanent development trailers and Navy Gateway Inns & Suites lodging.
“The is what the Sailors deserved,” mentioned Jacob Munyon, director, Fleet and Household Readiness. “The renovation encompassed an entire reconfiguration to help a brand new membership/restaurant/bar idea that appears and features fantastically and offers a much-needed improve to the difficulties of island life.”
The Fox Den, named in honor of the indigenous inhabitants of protected Island Foxes, consists of 2 kitchens, 2 giant eating areas, sport room, convention room, storage, scullery, places of work, loos, lounge with hearth, examine space, 8-large displays, and full-service bar.
“This facility is an emblem of the dedication the U.S. Navy has to our Sailors and civilians engaged on the island,” mentioned Capt. Robert “Barr” Kimnach III, commanding officer, NBVC. “A dedication we will by no means lose sight of, and one which helps to take care of or mission readiness.”
NBVC is dwelling to Level Mugu, Port Hueneme, San Nicolas Island, Laguna Peak, the Pacific Coast Seabees, the West coast Hawkeyes, 3 warfare facilities, and 80 tenants. It’s the largest employer in Ventura County and actively protects California’s largest coastal wetlands via its award-winning environmental packages.
