Marine Corps Base Quantico -- The $100,000 renovation project to the Single Marine Program (SMP) House that began in September 2016, is expected to be completed by the end of March.
The current SMP facility has not been updated since 2007, when the program was initially moved into the building at 206 Nicholas Road aboard Quantico.
The project is funded by the Office of the Secretary of Defense and was originally initiated to make repairs to the building to ensure that it met Department of Defense and Marine Corps Community Service (MCCS) standards.
The original project included updates to the exterior house. This included the roofing, gutters and side wall, as well as the creation of a wooden walkway, patio area and external lighting and security cameras to ensure added safety for all Marines.
Nevertheless, the project has now advanced into its final stages, which includes the building’s interior. Repairs are being made to the foyer, kitchen, entertainment room, home theater, bathrooms and computer lab.
The building’s internal structure will be given a fresh, modernized look with polished wooden floors in the foyer, stone-tiled floors with marble counter tops in the kitchen and black-tiled floors with new porcelain amenities in the bathrooms. One of the two bathrooms will feature a standing shower encased with a chrome trimmed sliding glass door.
The entire house will also receive new crown molding, a fresh coat of paint on every wall in the house and new windows to allow for more natural lighting.
According to SMP Program Manager Michael Moore, the SMP House should be a welcoming area where any young Marine can come relax and meet new people.
The program, originally established in 1995, was created to offer single Marines and sailors an improved quality of life aboard base with enhanced recreational opportunities and community involvement opportunities.
“We are hoping that this modernized look to the building will attract more young Marines to the facility,” Moore said.
Clint Wallace of Anton’s Contracting has been leading the renovations alongside Moore for approximately 40 weeks.
According to Wallace, with the cosmetic changes also came electrical and plumbing work.
“Where each room has provided its challenges, the Marines coming into the building can rest well knowing that everything is up-to-date,” Wallace said.
An open house to view the facility’s changes is anticipated in mid-March, just before summer registration.
The current hours of operation are Sunday to Thursday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.