Northern exposure

Military installation Fort Richardson honored as Alaska's SI Sportstown

By Andrew Schulman

Nestled between the majestic Chugiak Mountains and the Cook Inlet, and situated just Northeast of Anchorage, Fort Richardson, Alaska, might not seem like an obvious place to look for one of the Army’s top sports and recreation programs. But the installation’s facilities and programming have earned praise from the thousands of servicemen and women who have spent time there. Those top-notch amenities have also earned Fort Richardson the title of Sports Illustrated Sportstown for Alaska.

Operating under the auspices of the Army’s Morale, Wellness and Recreation Program (MWR), Fort Richardson’s recreation department serves a community of approximately 9,500 active duty military, family members, Alaska National Guard, Department of Defense civilian employees and retired military, and offers a depth of programming unequaled in the state.

The department’s focal point is Buckner Physical Fitness Center, a 78,000-square-foot facility that gives members of the community a chance to exercise year-round with myriad areas for weightlifting, aerobics and an indoor pool.

“Many would say this facility is the jewel of our installation,” said Sports & Fitness Director Curt Fortie, who oversees all of the facilities and programming for the Fort. “Every day we have between 900 and 1,200 people coming to Buckner, and we take great pride in making sure it exceeds their expectations.”

In addition to the Buckner Center, the Fort also operates a youth recreation center and maintains athletic fields to support baseball, softball, soccer, football, and broomball –- a game similar to hockey, but played with broom-like sticks and flat-soled boots instead of skates.

When it comes to programming, the recreation staff programs for both the servicemen and women stationed at the installation and their family members, civilian employees and military retirees.

While the soldiers take part in most of the activities offered, there are several programs developed just for them – including the Commander’s Cup, Combat Cross-Country Race Series and Artic Skills Competition Series. The Commander’s Cup is a popular program in which each unit on the base gains points for participation and excellence in the 29 sports that the recreation department offers. At the end of the year, the unit that accumulates the most points is awarded the Commander’s Cup.

Now in its second year, the Combat Cross-Country Race Series consists of four races that test outdoor skills including orienteering, mountain climbing, canoeing and hiking, while the Arctic Skills Competition tests soldiers’ prowess in winter events like cross country skiing and snow shoeing.

The recreation department staff also organizes adult leagues in soccer, swimming, wrestling, football, basketball, baseball and tennis, as well as programs in yoga and martial arts.

Children of soldiers stationed at the installation can take part in a college-level outdoor adventure and leadership skills program during the summer as well as year-round league, intramural and recreational sports. The installation also offers a number of special programs and excursions to keep kids active.

Fortie knows that many of these activities would not be possible without backing from the installation’s leadership and the Federal Government.

“We get excellent support from the Command and receive designated funding in the Army’s annual budget because we help our soldiers stay healthy and in top shape,” he said. “We’re able to develop activities that meet the soldiers’ needs and at the same time put money back into the department, maintain our current programs and develop new ones.”