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Sharon McBride
Fort Richardson PAO

As the temperatures continue to drop and children have more time off from school because of the holidays, a parent could go crazy or broke trying to figure out what to do with their family during the long winter days when going outside is not all that appealing.

Fort Richardson residents do not have to wait for joint basing to take effect to take advantage of the Arctic Oasis Community Center located at 9497 20th St. on Elmendorf Air Force Base.

The center has an abundance of indoor activities designed to let children and parents burn off energy and have fun without spending a lot of cash or hanging out in the cold.  

“Anyone who can access the base without a sponsor can come here,” said Lauren Buss, an Arctic Oasis recreation assistant. 

At first glance, a passerby might think there’s not much to the Arctic Oasis, Buss explained.

“They stand at the door and all they see is a few exercise machines and an indoor playground,” she said. “I try to invite them in and tell them there’s a whole lot more to it.”

Like a miniature golf course, a skateboard park, an arcade, a 24-foot climbing wall, a virtual golf course simulator, martial arts and dance classes, circuit training classes and a Teen Center.

 “A family could spend all day in here, not get bored and not spend a lot of money,” Buss said.

The first stop for most families is the indoor playground that boasts full-size equipment like monkey bars, forts and slides surrounded by thick matting designed to absorb bumps and falls, Buss said.

Then there’s the extensive bank of cardio exercise equipment, weight machines and free weights positioned so parents who are working out can keep an eye on their children while they play.

Children 5 and older can play on the playground equipment, but younger children are encouraged to use the adjacent toddler park, which has smaller scale playground equipment, Buss said.

The minimum age to use all the exercise equipment is 13, Buss said.

“Parents like to come in and work out while their kids play,” Buss said.  “But I would like to stress we are not a babysitting service. Parents still need to watch their children.”

For those into video games, the Internet or table games, the community center has a nicely equipped Cyber Café and arcade.

Some items like computer games and Xbox systems are free to use, while games like table tennis and air hockey are a $1 per game. Free wireless Internet is also available throughout the community center for those who like to use their own laptops to check e-mail or surf the Web.

“We also have several study groups that meet here on a regular basis,” Buss said. “Anyone or any group is welcome here.”

Behind the Cyber Café and next to the playground is the free 24-foot climbing wall.

“It’s self-belayed,” Buss said. “Those who want to climb just need one of us to show them how to wear the harness.”

No spotter is needed because the ropes are rigged to a machine that acts as the belay and can catch climbers who weigh up to 240 pounds.  The minimum weight for a climber is 40 pounds.

Further back in the building is the virtual golf simulator. The cost for the golf simulator is $10 an hour, and up to four people can play.

“A lot of golfers come in here to play after the weather turns bad,” Buss said.

The 18-hole mini golf course is popular with children and parents alike, Buss said. The cost is $3 per game for those 13 and older and $2 for those who are younger.

The free skate park is at the back of the building and boasts half-pipes, quarter pipes, vertical ramps and banked ramps for skate boarders and roller bladers alike.

“To use the skate park, all you have to do is wear a helmet,” Buss said, adding children younger than 13 must have an adult present.

Next to the skate park is the Teen Center. It’s a place teens can hang out, eat, socialize and surf the Web, Buss explained.

The Arctic Oasis also offers a multitude of classes designed to get a body moving.

Currently, a free circuit training class is offered every Wednesday and Friday at 1 p.m. While the adults work out, children are kept occupied through a free craft time with supplies and snacks.

Belly dancing, other dance classes and martial arts classes are also available at the community center for nominal fees. 

“We have a lot to do here and it’s really cheap,” said Jason Lambie, an operations clerk for the Arctic Oasis. “Most of what we offer is free.”

The Arctic Oasis can also put together relatively inexpensive parties, he added.  Those who schedule parties get to use of the facility and receive deep discounts on items like mini golf.

The Arctic Oasis can pretty much accommodate anything.

“That’s something you won’t be able to find anywhere else,” Lambie said.