DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. - The Desert Inn is scheduled to close for renovation beginning Jan. 1.
Meal cards will become null and void and Airmen living in unaccompanied housing will receive Basic Allowance for Sustenance for the duration of the closure. Airmen will receive their first BAS payment, which is roughly $300 per month, Jan. 15.
"The flight kitchen will still be available to Airmen, however it's a much smaller facility, flight line personnel have priority and it's important to remind everyone that they will have to use cash ," said Senior Master Sgt. Kevin LaBrie, 355th Force Support Squadron Sustainment Services Superintendent.
According to Sergeant LaBrie, the dining facility will undergo a full overhaul.
"Everything is coming out but the walls," LaBrie said. "The flooring, the lighting, the wiring, everything."
The building that houses the Desert Inn has been standing for 56 years and its fixtures were outdated.
"The electrical system was maxed out, so we couldn't add any new equipment," LaBrie said. "This new facility will have a more modern electrical system, have better flow for our customers and be more energy efficient."
Personnel assigned to the Desert Inn Dining Facility will be distributed to other FSS facilities.
"Some Airmen will go to the flight kitchen to help with increased operations," LaBrie said. "We'll also have Airmen going to the Fitness Center to assist with the fitness assessments."
The Desert Inn was the recipient of the John L. Hennesey award for best dining facility in Air Combat Command in 2010 and 2011.
"We're an award-winning team and now we'll have a facility worthy of serving the hard-working men and women of the Desert Lightning Team," LaBrie said.
To compensate for the closure, the Roadrunner Flight Kitchen will be extending its hours.
Monday-Friday: Saturday, Sunday, Holidays:
Breakfast- 5:30 a.m.-7:30 a.m. Morning Meal- 6 a.m.-12 p.m.
Lunch- 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Evening Meal- 4 p.m.-6 p.m.
Dinner- 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
For more information contact the flight kitchen at (520) 228-4069.