Changes coming to the Tinker Club

Published May 25, 2012
By Vickie Fragomeli
Sustainment Services Flight Chief

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The Air Force is undergoing a Services Transformation that will impact many of the Force Support Squadron activities at all bases. The changes are necessary to become more efficient, save money and put resources where they can best be used.

Recently, Headquarters Air Force Services conducted studies and surveys to determine which facilities are core to the needs of the military population and which facilities should be modified or closed based on usage or opportunities for the same services and programs in the local area. One of the facilities being affected is the your club. To keep your club open to support the mission and members, it has to remain financially solvent. Although many measures have been put in place over the past couple of years to do this, more must be done. Some of the changes include:

· Increase non-member prices for evening special functions/events by $1. There is an Air Force requirement for nonmember prices to be at least $3 higher than member prices.

· Reduce quantity and change the selection of social hour snacks being provided on Fridays. Implement a bar menu, featuring wings and rings and barbecue chips with pulled pork. In mid-2010, an initiative was implemented to increase the variety of social hour snacks in the hope of generating more lounge customers and increased sales. This did not happen. Over the past 18 months, sales have declined $27,000 while the cost of social hour snacks has almost tripled. With changing the types and quantities of social hour snacks, club officials hope to spur bar menu purchases.

· Effective July 2, the club will be closed on Mondays, which is the slowest business day of the week with an average number of lunch customers at 55 versus the rest of the week which averages 94. Average daily losses are $1,100 each Monday. This change will also reduce overtime when employees are required to work six to seven days due to high special function periods. Mulligan's Golf Course Grill and the Bowling Center snack bar are available daily for lunch service.

· Encourage customers wishing to have meetings/commander's calls/ceremonies when the club is closed or with minimal staffing to use other facilities or move their event to times and days when club is fully staffed.

Some upcoming events you don't want to miss:
· Boss and Buddy Night will be held on July 11. This is a great opportunity for members to bring out a nonmember, do some socializing, have some social hour snacks and check out what the club has to offer. Enjoy 25 cent hotdogs, 50 cent soft drinks and $1.25 drafts.

· First Fridays are a big hit at the club and take place on the first Friday of each month. Four lucky club members will receive $100 each from drawing of receipts from purchases made during the month prior. Social hour snacks are free for members and non-members can enjoy the snacks for $5. Check out the Crud Tournament to see which unit wins bragging rights and the traveling trophy at 5 p.m. June 1.

· And back by popular demand -- the Beer University begins at 4:30 p.m. July 17. This is everything you would want to know about the fine art of serving and consuming beer. Call 734-3418 for reservations.

· To ensure the tradition continues, the Sunday Brunch will be served once each month. Check the Tinker Living magazine for dates and times.

The decision to move forward with these changes was difficult but necessary to insure your club remains viable and continues to be available to the Tinker population. Your understanding and continued support is appreciated.