Huntington Hall Unveils U.S. Navy’s Pioneer Outdoor Fitness Pavilion

In a move aimed at bolstering fitness and morale, leadership from Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, the Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair-Newport News, and the Morale, Welfare and Recreation department gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, August 15th. The event marked the inauguration of a 24-hour outdoor fitness pavilion behind Huntington Hall. An enthusiastic crowd of Sailors, eager to test out the new facility, was in attendance.

“Our 24-hour outdoor fitness pavilion is a major victory for our junior Sailors residing near Huntington Hall,” said Captain Dan Patrick, Commanding Officer of Naval Weapons Station Yorktown. “Warfighters working in the shipyard face challenging tasks. This facility offers them an outlet anytime they need it after work. It represents an eight-month effort and over $325,000 investment. My quality-of-service team put significant effort into making this a reality,” added Captain Patrick.

The pavilion, adjacent to the outdoor track and soccer field, boasts 800 square feet of open space with solar panels, LED lights, and hurricane resistance. The structure features an open floor plan with interlocking rubber tiles, designed for various cross-fit and high-intensity interval exercises. Modular stations include pull-up bars, climbing ropes, bench press areas, and squat racks, complemented by outdoor storage cabinets housing kettle bells, jump ropes, and weighted workout balls. The facility ensures versatile exercise options around the clock.

Following the ribbon-cutting, Sailors immediately utilized the pavilion, climbing ropes and engaging with the new equipment. MWR gym staff were present to demonstrate proper usage and assist with equipment setup. Comments from attendees highlighted the pavilion’s brightness and versatility as a welcome addition to the available workout options.

Additional improvements at Huntington Hall feature a newly refinished gym floor, now a hub for group sports like basketball tournaments and dodgeball. “The old floor was very dingy. The refinished court is now lighter and more inviting,” noted Matt Palandro, MWR Fitness Director at Huntington Hall.

Huntington Hall also benefits from new room furnishings, PlayStation 5 consoles, pool tables, lounge areas, laptops, a small movie theater, and facility-wide Wi-Fi. The on-site Fleet and Family Support Center offers a variety of programs and classes, while the Navy Exchange mini-mart, one of the first in the region to implement a cashless point-of-sale system, provides additional convenience. A fully-equipped kitchen allows Sailors to cook their meals.

The opening of the 24/7 fitness pavilion is one of many efforts to improve the quality of life for Sailors at Huntington Hall. These enhancements support those stationed at Newport News Shipbuilding, offering numerous recreational and educational opportunities.