Work on expanding the 200-square foot John J. McKenna, IV Military Courtesy Room at the Albany International Airport in Colonie has begun.
“The room will be expanded to accommodate the high volume of military personnel now using the facility,” said Doug Myers, airport spokesman.
The expansion will more than double the room size to 430 square feet.
More than 3,500 military personnel and their families have found comfort as they utilized the Military Room and services before and between flights since it opened in March of 2010.
The construction of the expanded Military Room began on March 13. The room expansion will be completed within a week to 10 days, according top Myers. The total cost of the expansion is estimated at $50,000, he added.
“The cost of the labor and materials to be used in the expansion of the Military Courtesy Room expansion is being donated by BBL Construction Services and their sub contractors,” said David E. Langdon, chairman of the Albany County Airport Authority. “Donald Led Duke, the late chairman of BBL had a strong commitment to the nation’s military and his legacy will live on within the Military Courtesy Room.
The John J. McKenna IV Military Courtesy Room is located on the third floor of the Airport’s terminal. The room is staffed by more than 140 volunteers and offers light refreshments, snacks and a welcoming atmosphere to all military personnel and their families. The room is equipped with cable TV, DVD, video games and both phone and e-mail service.
The initial concept for a Military Courtesy Room was presented to the Airport Authority by John McKenna III of Clifton Park, whose son, Marine Reserve Capt. John McKenna, IV, of Clifton Park, was killed on Aug. 16, 2006 in Fallujah, Iraq.
“We were immediately impressed by what a tremendous service and comfort that the Courtesy Room and its volunteers are able to provide in such a limited space,” said BBL’s Vice President Jonathan deForest. “We knew we could do our part to make it even better. We all need to ensure that the men and women serving our country know how much we appreciate the sacrifices they make each day.”
Subcontractors that will be donating their services include Collett Mechanical, Carey Electric, The Competitive Advantage Group, Stuart Painting, MMC Millwork, Flooring Environment, Towne TV, RBM Guardian Fire Protection, Kamco Supply, and Gilhooley Designs.
