Recreation & Leisure

TURKEY CREEK RANCH
Enjoy historic Turkey Creek Ranch, established in 1874, with beautiful meadows, a scenic setting, alive with various types of wildlife, located just 10 miles south of Gate 1 on Highway 115. Bring the family for a fun-filled day or weekend getaway. Host a family reunion, office party or unit organizational day in one of the covered pavilion picnic sites. Enjoy the great outdoors, camp in one of the primitive sites or bring your recreational vehicle and camp in comfort. Services are offered April 1-Oct. 31. For more information, call 526-3905.

TURKEY CREEK RECREATION AREA
Turkey Creek Recreation Area offers the ranch, experienced staff and recreational amenities. Combined with the natural beauty and multitude of activities offered, Turkey Creek rivals any other location for your special event. For Turkey Creek Recreation Area call 526-3905.

OUTDOOR RECREATION COMPLEX
The Fort Carson Outdoor Recreation Complex is located in Building 2429, on the corner of Specker and Wetzel avenues. The complex houses the Equipment Checkout Center; Information, Tickets and Registration; the Adventure Programs and Education team; the Mountain Post Outfitters retail store; two classrooms; and a 28-foot tall and 43-foot wide indoor climbing wall. Located across the street from the complex are the Alpine Tower challenge course and an archery range. The complex also manages the recreational vehicle storage lots around the Mountain Post.

The Equipment Checkout Center has a wide variety of recreation equipment available for reasonable usage fees, everything from skis and snowboards to campers and boats. If it can be used outdoors, odds are the Equipment Resource Center has it. Equipment rental is available at daily, weekend and weekly rates. People with their own winter equipment that may need tuning up can use the services of the fully equipped maintenance shop that can handle all ski and snowboard tuning needs.

For more information on the Equipment Checkout Center and RV Storage Lot, call 526-1993. Contact Information, Tickets and Registration at 526-5366.

APE
The Adventure Program and Education team offers a variety of programs designed for all members of the Fort Carson community. Programs are designed for everyone, from beginners to experts. Monthly calendars and the Fort Carson NOW online magazine detail specific offerings available at the facility. Another great source of the latest program information is the DFMWR website at http://www.mwrfortcarson.com. Activities and programs offered by APE range from whitewater rafting to skiing, snowboarding to ice climbing and cross country skiing to snowshoeing. Winter and summer youth adventure camps (for ages 11 to 16) are also available. Customized trips can also be arranged for units or groups. For more information, call 526-3907.

MOUNTAIN POST OUTFITTERS
The Mountain Post Outfitters store offers a vast selection of items to support outdoor pursuits from rifles to carabineers, night crawlers to ski apparel. Mountain Post Outfitters stocks high-quality items, sold tax-free at competitive prices. Mountain Post Outfitters also sells firearms and ammunition, and offers Hunter's Education classes monthly. Stop by the Outdoor Recreation Complex to see firsthand all the ways the Outdoor Recreation team can help people enjoy the Mountain Post and its surrounding areas. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The facility is closed Sunday, Monday and federal holidays. For more information, call 526-9723.

SKIING
There's a story going around that everyone in Colorado skis. Not true, but even most of those who don't ski love weekends at one of Colorado's internationally known resorts. Best of all, most of the ski areas are within a reasonable drive from Colorado Springs. With the large number of ski areas to choose from, people are sure to find one that suits people's skills and budgets. Don't forget to check with ITR for discount coupons and specific information.

IRONHORSE PARK
Ironhorse Park, located on Sheridan Avenue, is a multi-purpose outdoor community recreation area. The park includes several playgrounds, picnic areas, grills, softball fields, basketball courts and a fitness trail. A 1.2-mile, multi-use trail for mountain bikers, hikers, runners and dog walkers is centered in the park. Ironhorse Park is the perfect place to have fun as a family or unit. An amphitheater is also available for various uses. Reservations to use park facilities may be made by calling 526-5366.

FITNESS CENTERS AND SWIMMING POOLS
Fort Carson has two swimming pools, 16 softball fields, three running tracks and four physical fitness centers. Exercise and weightlifting equipment, racquetball and basketball courts, saunas and hot tubs may be found in the fitness centers. These facilities provide an environment for Fort Carson personnel to pursue their personal fitness goals. For more information, including operating hours, call:
Forrest Fitness Center, Building 1843
(Future site of the new wellness center).................................526-2706
Garcia Physical Fitness Center, Building 1856................526-3944
McKibben Physical Fitness Center, Building 1160........526-2597
Waller Physical Fitness Center, Building 2357................526-2742
Indoor swimming pool, Building 1446.................................526-3107
Outdoor swimming pool, Building 1231.............................526-4456

SPORTS
Intramural sports programs are available postwide in a number of different sports including flag football, soccer, volleyball, basketball and softball. Information can be obtained at any physical fitness center or by calling 331-2323.

GOLF
CHEYENNE SHADOWS GOLF COURSE
Titus Boulevard
526-4102
Open all year
Set in the shadow of Cheyenne Mountain, Fort Carson's golf course is a breathtaking 18-hole championship course. The clubhouse and pro shop are located on Titus Boulevard. Year-round golf is available at one of the finest golf courses in the area. Private and group lessons are available at the driving range/learning center. Cheyenne Shadows Golf Course offers a state-of-the-art clubhouse/pro shop that is able to fit all golfing needs and can special order items. Cheyenne Shadows also offers Coyote Run Junior Golf Course for those upcoming golf stars.

Cheyenne Shadows Golf Course is also home to a state-of-the-art onboard global positioning system that gives its customers course-specific golf tips, distance to hole, pin placement and much more. Additionally, handicap-accessible golf carts are available for those with limited mobility. Cheyenne Shadows Golf Course is open to the public and accepts tee times on weekends and holidays. Mulligans serves beverages and a limited menu. Call 526-4102.

BOWLING CENTER
Thunder Alley
Building 1511 on Chiles Avenue
526-5542
Thunder Alley is a 36-lane public facility. The center is open six days a week with dollar games on Wednesdays 5 to 11 p.m. There is color-pin bowling with cash prizes on Saturday nights, Tuesday nights are 50s Night with 50-cent games and 50-cent hot dogs, 6 to 11 p.m. The bowling center also offers bumper bowling for children; birthday parties can be held with prior reservation. Black lights and music make Fort Carson's Thunder Alley the place to be every Friday evening and Saturday afternoon. The bowling center is located in Building 1511, on Chiles Avenue. Hours of operation are Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight; and Sunday, 1 to 9 p.m. The Strike Zone offers fresh-made sandwiches and fries. Call 526-4201 for more information.

AUTO CRAFT CENTER
Building 2427 on Wetzel Avenue
526-2147
The Auto Craft Center is located on Wetzel Avenue, building 2427 and offers 33 work bays. Whether people need to rebuild an engine, change tires, change oil, work on a motorcycle or touch up a car with a bit of bodywork and paint, they can do it with competitive rates and have a certified instructor on hand for assistance. Full lines of automotive necessities (oil, filters, spark plugs, antifreeze, brake fluid and more) are at their fingertips. Stop by and let the skilled technicians show you how. The Auto Craft Center also has a full-service auto painting facility. Automotive finishes are available in every color, alternate color matches for your precise finish, complete color formula-programmed equipment and a computer database for domestic and imported makes await customers. Operating hours are Wednesday through Friday, noon to 7:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Monday, Tuesday and holidays, closed. Call 526-2147.

LIBRARY
Grant Library
Building 1528 on Flint Street
next to the 4th Inf. Div. headquarters
526-2350
Grant Library is a full-service library open six days a week. It is located in Building 1528 on Flint Street next to the 4th Inf. Div. headquarters building. In addition to a full book selection, patrons can check out a varied selection of DVD movies, CDs, audio books and educational as well as children's videos. Popular magazines and newspapers are also available, including a complete archive of the Fort Carson Mountaineer from 1942 to present. A separate children's room has books, magazines and computers loaded with games and stories. A weekly Read-To-Me/Storytime program for toddler and preschoolers takes place each Tuesday at 10:30 a.m., September-May. Other programs are scheduled monthly. In addition to the computers hosting the online catalog and other resources, the library has Internet and Microsoft Office software-loaded computers available, as well as free WiFi for those with their own laptops. Check out Grant Library for free programs and resources daily. Hours are Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, Monday and holidays, closed. For more information, call 526-2350.

SPECIAL EVENTS
AND PROGRAMS
From time to time, Fort Carson hosts special concerts and other events, such as the Army Soldier Show, Girls' Night Out, 4th of July celebration, EGGsperience and holiday programs. For more information on community events and programs, see the DFMWR page in The Mountaineer or call 526-4494/1867.

CATERING & CONFERENCES
The Elkhorn Catering and Conference Center Building 7300, on Woodfill Road 576-6646 The Elkhorn Catering and Conference Center is a 24,000-square-foot facility able to provide full service catering and meeting services for events up to 400 people. The Elkhorn is used for a multitude of events: wedding receptions, changes of command, meetings and conferences, reunions, holiday parties and more. It provides a variety of complimentary amenities for meetings and conferences to include premium coffee, ice water, linens, set-up, clean up, fax and copier use, and audio-visual equipment (LCD projectors, large-screen televisions, video recorders, sound system capabilities, microphone and podium). Catered events are done with a creative touch by our award-winning team of hospitality professionals.

The Ivy Irish Pub, located in the Elkhorn, serves lunches with daily specials, and specialty sandwiches. The Elkhorn Catering and Conference Center is dedicated to exceeding guest expectations. Its dedicated personnel create buffet displays and action stations sure to amaze the host as well as the party attendees. Some of the specialty theme events used in the past included a country barbeque, Hawaiian luau, family carnival night and Santa at the Elkhorn. It is located on Woodfill Road, in Building 7300 behind the Colorado Inn. For menu specifics, room package options and room availability, call 576-6646.

THE HUB: THE FOXHOLE, BOSS AND
WARRIOR FAMILY COMMUNITY PARTN ERSHIP
The Foxhole club boasts 30 televisions, several large screens, an extensive selection of today's top video games and several pool tables and a bar. Electronic Bingo is offered three times a week. Call 526-5347 for more information.

BOSS
The Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers program meets with unit representatives the first and third Wednesday of each month 10 a.m. at The Hub, where the program office resides. Recreational programs, trips and volunteer opportunities for single Soldiers are available. Call 524-2677, for more information.

THE WARRIOR
FAMILY COMMUNITY PARTN ERSHIP
The mission of the Warrior Family Community Partnership is to integrate existing systems of support and services to Fort Carson Soldiers and their Families to assure an optimal quality of life while fulfilling their mission to our nation. The WFCP concept also serves the Greater Front Range Community by providing a forum and facility space for individuals and groups wishing to support Soldiers and Families with services, gifts and volunteer activities. The WFCP community council meets quarterly on Fort Carson with the purpose of getting an update on the program, providing feedback on the program and socializing with key civilian and military Fort Carson leadership.  read more...

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