Concerned MWR PATRONS                                    P.O. Box    , Fort Belvoir, VA  22060

                                                       Concerned MWR PATRONS                          Revised 11/15/2007   
P.O. Box 57, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060
www.concernedmwrpatrons.org

November 15, 2007

Dear ________________,
           
            We request your support to ensure that Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) facilities and funds are properly considered when implementing BRAC and other new construction.  MWR funding is Non-Appropriated Funding (NAF) that is generated through patron spending at military facilities. We believe that MWR facilities, paid for by military families, should be replaced if taken for other development.  (See Enclosure)

MWR Business Activities that generate NAF funds, especially the Golf Facilities, are an important recreation activity for the military community in the Greater Washington area.  The two 18 hole Championship courses (North-36) and the now closed 9 hole facility at Fort Belvoir are/were the only military golf facilities readily accessible to the extensive military population in Northern Virginia.  The courses are in high demand by eligible patrons and DOD/DOD–related organizations sponsoring golf outings that generate MWR profits and promote organizational cohesiveness.

The BRAC decision to build a new hospital on the existing South 9-hole course will affect the bottom profit line for the Fort Belvoir MWR for many years. The true impact to MWR patrons and other NAF activities on Fort Belvoir was not accurately considered.  There has never been a satisfactory explanation as to why the hospital had to be built on an existing facility when there is abundant vacant land immediately adjacent to the “South 9” facility. 

            Current site plans for the Museum of the US Army could take a portion of an existing 18-hole golf course at the North-36 Golf Facility. We note the detailed milestone schedule for the museum at the Kingman Gate site; however, there appear to be no plans for the North 36 should this facility be impacted by this or other construction. If there are plans to encroach on the North 36, museum construction plans should include milestones for site and fund planning for appropriate replacement facilities to be built before the land is taken.  There is adequate land adjacent to the Woodlawn golf course without reducing a revenue-generating business activity and taking away a recreational benefit built with “military family” NAF funds.  The impact on the golf community, the other activities at Fort Belvoir funded by golf course profits, and the overall combined reduction with the closing of the South 9 need to be considered     

            The Fort Belvoir Master Plan is currently under “Agency Reviews” and the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the museum is planned for completion in July 2008; therefore, we would like your assurance that the two 18-hole Championship courses will be retained. A reply before the January 2008 public meeting on the Master Plan would be appreciated.

Respectfully yours,

Edward (Ted) H. Cummings
Colonel, USA (Ret)
for the Organization of Concerned MWR PATRONS

1 Encl – Position Paper on MWR Facilities
Note:  Letter sent to CG, IMCOM; CG, FMWR Command: and Installation Commander, Fort Belvoir