10/09/09: NF Air Reserve Station Opens $7.6 Million Visiting Airmens Quarters

“We nearly lost it!” said US Congresswoman Louise Slaughter. The 28th District Representative says Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station’s newest lodging facility almost never happened.
“We want to make sure there are more things that we can do here. And more things that we can do the joint sharing in this facility. The less likely we are to get the attention of the BRAC commission,” said Rep. Slaughter.
The Niagara Falls station was removed from the Defense Base Realignment and Closure list back in 2005. Slaughter says she vowed to keep it off the list with a new facility.
The new lodging facility adds 134 rooms to the base. There are now a total of 209 rooms for visiting airmen. Congresswoman Slaughter and Rep. Chris Lee were on hand as military officials cut the ribbon on the new visiting airmen’s quarters. It’s the second phase for a $16.1million project to offer a place for reservists who travel outside the 50 mile radius to attend training.
“With the 914th Airlift Wing, the 107th Airlift Wing and the Air Forces Reserve center scheduled to open next summer we’re expecting the utilization and the occupancy rate for this new facility to be very high,” said Col. Allan Swartzmiller with the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station.
The reserve station is the largest employer in Niagara County so officials say it’s important to offer a sense of home for the airmen.
“We’re trying to provide our service men and their families the best possible facility that honors their service right now for this country,” Col. John R. Boule II with the Reserve Station. Officials say the new center may also help house visiting military during department of defense events.
“This is a wonderful treasure that we have here that’s providing homeland security, national security. We want to continue to make sure that we drive that forward,” said 26th District Rep. Chris Lee.
Since she played such a vital role in securing funding for the project, the lobby entrance way is amply named “Louise’s Lodge” in honor of representative Slaughter. She’s more than tickled to see the development at the station.
“It is so important for us strategically where it’s located and the great work that they do on homeland security is a great economic development tool,” added Rep. Slaughter.