Mountain View Lodge gets facelift

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Lindsey Maurice
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Guests staying at the Mountain View Lodge's visiting quarters are in for a nice surprise as the facility recently completed a $527,000 renovation project.

The renovations, which ran from late September to October, included everything from new carpeting and drapery to upholstered furniture and mattresses.

"Being the best is important to the lodging staff here because the VQ is truly a home away from home," said Charles Boyd, 31st Force Support Squadron Mountain View Lodge manager. "These units provide comfort and quality of life to the temporary duty traveler and are critical to the mission we have here. It was time for an update."

The manager added that during the past five years, the VQ facility has maintained a very high occupancy rate percentage and continues to receive rave reviews from its customers. The facility and the staff were also recognized as Best in U.S. Air Forces Europe and the Air Force, earning back-to-back Innkeeper Award titles in 2007 and 2008.

Mr. Boyd added that the customers hardly noticed the facilities' needs for an upgrade, which he attributes to the efforts of the housekeeping and maintenance staffs.

"Despite the increased wear and tear attributed to the high occupancy, the staff helped maintain the facility and created a positive experience for our guests right up through the renovations and continues to do so now," he said.

Gino Scandolo, MVL housekeeping supervisor echoed Mr. Boyd's words on the great work his staff puts forth each day and the great improvements the renovations have made.

"The housekeeping and maintenance crews play a fundamental part of lodging operations," he said. "A testament to that would be the reviews they had in our awarding of back-to-back Innkeeper Awards in which 90 percent of the merit was attributed to the staff."

Mr. Scandolo added that the renovations not only benefit the customers, but the staff as well.

"A lot of the housekeepers have commented on how great the new carpet is for instance being a lot more resistant and durable," he said. "The renovations really turned out nice."

Funding for the renovation was possible due to a portion of room charges being captured each month by the Air Force Services Agency Lodging Branch, said Mr. Boyd. The Air Force Lodging Fund is used for lodging improvements and renovations throughout the Air Force.

The lodging manager said the MVL's temporary lodging facilities are also approved to receive similar type renovations during fiscal year 2010 valued at approximately $1.7 million.

"The primary purpose of a TLF is for families in a permanent change of station status either new to the base or departing," said Mr. Boyd. "In essence, it's your home during your transition to and from the base. Renovations here must be timely in order to provide quality living conditions for families."

"Items in TLF get the most use and are worn out," he said. "Family TLF living is much different than the business traveler that fits in the VQ category. That's why the renovation frequency is sooner for TLF units at four years as opposed to six years for VQ.

The MVL manager anticipates renovations of the first three TLF facilities to start late 2010 with the rest to begin early 2011 (allowing for a break during the peak PCS season during the summer).

There are 48 two bedroom TLF units which sleep up to seven guests in addition to 48 one bedroom TLF units that sleep four. One building is completely pet friendly and has 12 two bedroom and 12 one bedroom apartments.

Those in need of lodging should call 314-632-4040 or commercial 0434-30-4040 for rates and to make reservations.