All this surrounds a regulation boxing ring where soldiers can don jumbo gloves and go a round. He's hoping to replace them soon. Adding to the festive atmosphere is a miniature version of a blimp suspended from the ceiling, pennants and banners on the walls and 400 feet of colorful air-filled tubes that weave through the facility. So he and his staff meet every morning to brainstorm about how to further improve their operation. They sponsor periodic dart and golf tournaments, and last summer hosted a Motley Crue concert.
Soldiers twirl up, down and backwards on a giant gyroscope.
Maintaining the wow factor is a big-dollar proposition, but Barness is quick to point out that the Sports Dome doesn't cost a dime in tax dollars. But nobody's beefing about the prices. That puts the Sports Dome's accounting book comfortably in the black, leading Barness to think about adding still more attractions, like a big outdoor deck overlooking the volleyball courts, and maybe even a beer garden. The Sports Dome success story is making other installations take notice. Fort McCoy, Wis., and Fort Bragg, N.C., are building their own sports clubs, and Fort Bliss, Texas, and Fort Shafter, Hawaii, are considering doing the same.