Fort Lee Family and Morale, Welfare, and Recreation finished the construction of and coating of a new gymnasium floor Oct. 4 at the MacLaughlin Fitness Center as part of their partnership with Installation Management Command G9’s All-Army Sports program. The new gym floor provides active-duty Soldiers, retirees, DOD civilians, and their dependents with a reliable and more modern environment for physical fitness, recreational use and community activities. (U.S. Army photo by Chad Menegay)
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FORT LEE, Va.—Fort Lee Family and Morale, Welfare, and Recreation finished the construction of and coating of a new gymnasium floor Oct. 4 at the MacLaughlin Fitness Center as part of their partnership with Installation Management Command G9’s All-Army Sports program.
“The outcome of the floor is wonderful with multiple finished coatings to hold the integrity of the floor markings which will allow [use for] active DOD card holders whom are Active Duty, DOD civilians, Retirees and dependents,” said Anthony Nelson, Fort Lee FMWR’s sports/intramurals supervisor and facility manager. “The new gymnasium floor will be used for daily recreational use within MacLaughlin Fitness Center, our intramural leagues for permanent party and AIT students, and various tournaments or special events.”
According to Fort Lee FMWR, All-Army Sports paid for the execution of the construction with a $90,000 grant, as DFMWR programs are allocated funding to upgrade necessary outdated equipment at installation levels to continue sporting events and help service members stay physically ready.
Fort Lee FMWR hosted All-Army Men’s Volleyball in 2025, All-Army Men’s Basketball in 2026, and will host All-Army Men’s Basketball in 2027.
“[All-Army Sports funding] allows our intramural sports program to not only host future major tournaments, annual sports leagues for permanent party and AIT students, as well as daily recreational use at MacLaughlin Fitness Center,” Nelson said.
The new gym floor provides active-duty Soldiers, retirees, DOD civilians, and their dependents
with a reliable and more modern environment for physical fitness, recreational use and community activities, he said. The new surface allows for improved traction and playability; it reduces safety concerns of a floor being worn and deteriorated.
Nelson said he looks forward to seeing the Fort Lee community utilize the new floor and also for the FMWR’s anticipated MLK Basketball Classic this year, where they will have both men’s and women’s teams from more than 20 installations—up from the usual 12 men’s teams.
He is also looking forward to having the men’s and women’s Armed Forces team practice in June before going to Charlotte, N.C. for the CISM Military World Games, a multisport and multinational event organized every four years.
The All-Army Sports program provides elite Soldier-athletes with the opportunity to compete at the highest levels, showcasing their athletic skills while representing the U.S. Army in national and international competitions.
Source: www.army.mil
