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JBSA News
NEWS | Nov. 29, 2012

Multifunctional center reopens at JBSA-Randolph

By Alex Salinas Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Public Affairs

After more than a year of renovations, Bldg. 975 will officially reopen as the Religious Activities Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph during the first week of December, with a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for 10 a.m. Dec. 21, Randolph chapel center staff said.

Renovations to the RAC began a year ago and included the removal of pews and the addition of stackable chairs; a kitchen; chandeliers; audio and visual electronic components; a patio extension; and new heating, ventilating and air conditioning adding up to $1.9 million in cost.

The building's reopening will be an important addition to the covmmunity considering its debut in 1955, Chaplain (Maj.) Martin Booth, deputy joint base installation chaplain, said.

"Building 975 was originally Chapel Two, but was redesignated as the RAC the last five years," he said. "That redesignation allows all of Randolph to use the RAC for retirements, changes of commands, promotions, etc."

During the remodeling project, the RAC was originally designed to become the Airmen's Ministry Center. However, that plan was not sustainable and thus, the RAC was remodeled to better accommodate community events and worship services, Booth said.

Worship services are every Sunday, with Catholic Mass starting at 8:30 a.m. and contemporary Protestant services starting at 11 a.m.

The RAC will become a resource in the form of open space for chapel programs, base organizations and events such as retirements.

"Now that we're Joint Base San Antonio, we're a lot bigger in terms of operations and people," Master Sgt. Jennifer Roth, Randolph superintendent of chapel operations, said. "The RAC should free up a lot of space issues for multiple functions."

During the renovation process, Booth said Protestant services were held at the Randolph Theater, which lasted for a year and a half, or about 75 services that required people to move equipment inside and out of the theater each time.

"A lot of volunteers stepped up to the plate," Booth said. "I applaud everyone involved; Randolph has been very patient, and I'm happy to see we finally have a home on base for more worship services."

The RAC has a seating capacity for about 275 people. Functions will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis.

The building will operate 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For reservation information, call the chapel center at 652-6121.