FranconiaThe News Serving the Military Community—, and Vol. No. VIII, Issue 45 Nov. 11, 2011 USACE, Ansbach turns MWR funds into new auto skills center Story by Rachel Goodspeed USACE Europe District Public Affairs

ANSBACH-- Representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Europe District and U.S. Army Garrison Ans- bach pulled out their shovels to turn dirt during a groundbreaking ceremony Nov. 4 marking the beginning of con- struction on a new Automotive Skills Center at Urlas. The $6 million building and support- ing facilities will provide the military community with nine maintenance bays, an automatic car wash building and even a dog wash, said Col. Kelly Lawler, USAG Ansbach commander. ―Around Europe, there are many countries that are not doing ground- breakings,‖ he said. ―They’re doing U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach broke ground on the new $6 million Automotive Skills Center things like taping up boxes and board- at Urlas, Nov. 4. USAG Ansbach commander Col. Kelly J. Lawler (second from left) said ing up windows, so we need to be very the new facility represents ―…what the garrison is all about, taking care of Soldiers and proud and positive in our outlook and families.‖ U.S. Army photo by Bob McElroy with our community.‖ A vehicle storage area, salvage yard and other storage pool from 1953 at Barton Barracks and not accustomed to areas are also included in the plans, providing the Ansbach accommodating some of the bigger U.S. vehicles, said and Illesheim communities with a state-of-the-art facility to Gary Dyson, Automotive Skills Center manager. service their vehicles, said Col. D. Peter Helmlinger, An auto salvage yard is located in a separate area on Kat- USACE Europe District commander. terbach Kaserne. ―You’ll have a fantastic facility here with the state-of-the- ―It’s a great thing that we’re doing this because the facili- art auto crafts shop,‖ he said. ―This project is special to me. ties we have and especially the older ones are not really I used to be one of those shade-tree mechanics who spent a accustomed to some of the bigger American vehicles,‖ lot of time there when I drove a 1963 Chevy Corvair and Dyson said. ―The facilities we are working in now are old. ended up pushing it more than I drove it … until I finally Some of them don’t have bathrooms. We have holes in the discovered the auto crafts shop. It’s been invaluable to me walls. It was an old building so it really wasn’t worth in- ever since.‖ vesting in.‖ The current auto skills center is housed in an old motor (Continued on Page 3)

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Auto skills... (Continued from Page 1)

The expansion in space will also allow the center to expand its hours of operation, Dyson said. ―Right now we’re only open five days a week, but with the new facility and the 24-hour car wash and dog wash and strip yard available, we’ll be open seven days a week so you can come get your car serviced anytime,‖ he said. Unlike military construction projects, the dollars being used to fund this project are non- appropriated -- funds raised through Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs that are given back to the community through quality-of- life upgrades. ―You can see we put that price tag on the con- struction sign -- $6 million,‖ Lawler said. ―I asked for that to be put on there so that our Soldiers U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Europe District commander Col. D. Peter know how much money is being spent on this pro- Helmlinger (right) presents a golden shovel plaque to Ansbach Automotive ject -- that their money from MWR is going to Skills Center manager Gary Dyson during the ground breaking ceremony for build this. They need to know that, especially in the new automotive skills center. U.S. Army photo by Bob McElroy today’s day and age of a global economic change.‖ In addition to being economically friendly, the facility is tractor Mickan from Amberg, the community will be also designed to be environmentally friendly. An oil-water pleased when the center’s doors open, Helmlinger said. separating system, sealed and leak-proof floors and waste ―It’s great to see everyone and be part of this strong part- oil pumps will keep chemicals out of the soil, and high nership,‖ he said. ―We’re glad to add to the Urlas commu- windows will allow natural light to be used. nity. We recently completed the new state-of-the-art hous- When we did this, we took all things into consideration ing area and we’re going to continue to make this a first- environmental and saving energy,‖ Lawler said. ―Talk class facility.‖ about green -- this is green.‖ ―It’s not easy to get where we are today because there’s a Construction is scheduled to be complete by the end of lot of planning, a lot of coordination, a lot of regulations 2012 and with the partnership between USACE, USAG and a lot of environmental,‖ Lawler added. Ansbach, the Directorate of Public Works, F&MWR, the ―There are many people that play in enabling us to throw state construction office and construction con this dirt today. I would like to thank that entire team.‖