CHINHAE, Republic of Korea (NNS) - Commander, Fleet Activities Chinhae (CFAC) hosted a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction of the Fleet and Family Town Center (FFTC) aboard the facility, Feb. 8.

"The town center will combine lots of the support functions under one roof, providing Sailors and families convenient one stop shopping," said Cmdr. Don Murray, CFAC commanding officer.

The new 40,400 sq. ft. facility will consolidate community support and service functions into one building by featuring a Fleet and Family Service Center, classrooms, a uniform shop, computer lab, Liberty Lounge, post office, barber shop, Army and Air Force Exchange Service, and Defense Commissary Agency. The FFTC will also feature a training auditorium theater showing movies on a wide screen with surround sound audio.

The construction project will include site preparation, earthwork, grading, storm drainage, paving, electrical, water, sewer services, and landscaping. The expected completion of the project is September 2013.

Army Corps of Engineers, Far East District awarded the approximately $18 million contract to Central Construction Company to build the facility with environmental and energy goals in mind.

"There will be some growing pains associated with this new facility," said Murray. "The commissary and a few others will have to move to temporary buildings while the new town center is under construction, but this center is an important part of the growth and future of this base."

After completion of the FFTC, 11 buildings can be demolished and three additional buildings will be available for vital reutilization by the base.

Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea (CNFK) is the regional commander for the U.S. Navy in the Republic of Korea (ROK) and provides expertise on naval matters to area military commanders, including the Commander for the United Nations Command; the Republic of Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command; and Commander, U.S. Forces Korea. CNFK also serves as liaison to the ROK Navy and the Combined Forces Commander staff in armistice and in wartime to Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet; based in Yokosuka, Japan.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea, visit http://www.navy.mil/local/cnfk/.