First new homes, community center to open at Eglin Published March 11, 2016 By Brandon Masters Corvias Military Living EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Beginning in April, the first new homes are scheduled to open under the base's ongoing privatized housing initiative. In addition to the new homes, Eglin families will also have a 12,000 square-foot community center with an array of amenities such as a swimming pool, computer lab and fitness center opening at approximately the same time. "We are really looking forward to completing the first homes," said Bob McDonald, director of construction, Corvias Military Living. "These homes are going to really improve the quality of life for those families that live on base." Many changes have taken place in base housing here since Sept.1, 2013. That is the date Corvias Military Living assumed operations and maintenance responsibilities for all the homes on the installation. Families regularly see some of the differences privatization makes in terms of full-service maintenance, lawn care and resident activities here. The program has a five-year initial development period during which 747 new homes will be built on base. The only current homes to remain are 126 homes in the Hidden Oaks neighborhood. Vertical construction is underway on the new Warrior Landing community South of Boatner Road. All new homes will come with a two-car garage, modern features and appliances, additional storage and exceed the Air Force bench mark for square footage. The new community center is the centerpiece of the new housing experience. "The community center will be the heart and soul of the neighborhood," said Stan Morehead, business director, Corvias Military Living. "This building will essentially be an extension of the homes within the Eglin base community and will positively impact all residents, even those that will not initially have a new home." The first residents to move into the new homes will receive notification by mail. These residents will come from the New Plew neighborhood (near the hospital - Aspen, Azalea and Cedar Streets), the Old Plew neighborhood (near the Bayview Club), senior enlisted families throughout all neighborhoods and several junior enlisted families from the Indian Trails neighborhood. The path of demolition is the driving factor behind the move schedule. "In addition to the development and construction functions of our job, we are dedicated to giving families only the best in customer service. Our neighborhood teams work hard to make sure the needs of Eglin families are met. We are here for you," said Morehead. While residents wait for the delivery of the first new homes, the existing homes are being maintained at the highest level possible. Since the transition, the Corvias maintenance team has completed over 20,342 work orders with a 97 percent on-time response rate. Along with taking care of the current homes, Corvias also offers regular resident events to include a fall festival, spring carnival, story time and pictures with Santa Claus during holiday season. "We want the families on base to have an improved quality of life," said Morehead. "They certainly deserve it given the difficult job they perform protecting our nation."