Newly renovated visiting quarters lodging facility opens Published Feb. 5, 2016 By Airman First Class Jessica Weissman Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- The grand opening of the newly renovated visiting quarters lodging facility, hosted by Minot Air Force Base's Sakakawea Inn, occurred Feb. 3, 2016. "The goal for Air Force lodging is to have private room and bathroom facilities suitable for use by any rank," said Cori Esselman, general manager of the Sakakawea Inn. "Our new visiting quarters meet this goal and it is a big step forward for Minot Air Force Base." The former honor guard dormitory, comprised of 30 rooms and 8 suites, is now equipped with big sunny windows, private baths and kitchenettes for those who prefer not to eat out during their stay, said Esselman. The old visiting quarters, set in place in 1972, were built as temporary structures, said Esselman. "The floors were spongy, the plumbing froze in the severe winter weather, and the kitchens and bathrooms had a lot of use." Frequent maintenance to the three now-retired legacy buildings, is a drain on manpower and material resources, said Richard Helgeson, 5th Civil Engineer Squadron operations chief. "That is why we enthusiastically supported converting this facility to lodging." Lt. Col. Darryl Lee, commander of the 5th Force Support Squadron, said that the new VQ facility shows a significant commitment by Air Force leadership to further modernize Minot AFB. Plans to change the building from a dormitory to lodging started in 2009, however, due to the oil boom, flood and Minot's housing shortage, the plans were delayed, said Esselman. The facility could not be converted until it was no longer needed as a dormitory. Minot AFB initiated a $102,000 construction project using small project funds to create rooms for clean and dirty linens, install sensor-operated entrance doors and mount keyless locks on new guest room doors, said Esselman. An additional $67,000 from CE's operations budget was spent on labor and materials for plumbing and electrical repairs, windows and screens, she added. AF Lodging's interior designer provided six themes for the interior design of the new visiting quarters building. A total of $575,000 in non-appropriated funds was spent to renovate the interior décor, to include, paint, carpet, furniture, draperies, light fixtures and bathtubs. "From each room charge paid to Air Force lodges, $10 per bed goes to fund renovation and construction of facilities," said Esselman, who added that the new Transient Living Facility under construction on Missile Avenue here is funded from the same money. AF Innkeeper standards require artwork hung throughout the VQ to reflect the local area, so all of the artwork in the new VQ represents North Dakota scenery, said Esselman. The new VQ benefits not only guests visiting Minot AFB, but also the employees of Sakakawea Inn, said Esselman. "This VQ, and soon the new TLF for families to open a year from now, will transform the first and last impression of those coming to Minot AFB," said Lee. "Only the best for the best who come north!"