“For now we’re limiting work to just what is necessary to keep a car either safe or running.”
— Tom Woditsch
By Scott Prater
Mountaineer staff
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Staff at the Fort Carson Auto Skills Center have closed down every other maintenance bay, to allow for social distancing measures, during the COVID-19 pandemic response. The ASC is open Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. (Photo by Scott Prater)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Vehicle owners have had a tough time recently, as repair shops and auto dealers remained closed down during the nation’s reaction to the coronavirus pandemic. Much-needed repairs often have to wait or owners are forced to create temporary band-aid fixes just to keep their cars running.
For do-it-yourself (DIY) types, those looking to save some serious cash, or those hoping to find something productive, the Fort Carson Auto Skills Center (ASC) presents a compelling option.
Following a brief closure early in Fort Carson’s COVID-19 response posture, the ASC reopened to active-duty military personnel only in late April.
“We had to take some steps and put some restrictions in place to ensure the safety of our users and staff, but Fort Carson leaders decided it was a good idea to reopen some of our morale, welfare and recreation activities, like the golf course and outdoor recreation center,” said Mike Hubbard, acting ASC manager. “We determined we could manage the shop in such a way that people could maintain proper social distancing while they repaired and maintained their cars.”
Of course, folks can work on their cars in their own garage or driveway, but doing so is much more difficult and time consuming. The ASC has every tool someone might need for any job. Plus, it has vehicle lifts, which make tire replacements, oil changes and any under-carriage work a relative snap.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Spc. Chris Verastegui with 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, repairs a cold-air intake on his 2012 Infinity G37 Coupe at the Auto Skills Center recently. (Photo by Scott Prater)
Staff Sgt. Brian Siweck mounted new tires on his Ford F-150 during a short afternoon at the shop recently.
“I do all the work on my truck here at the shop,” he said. “Next week, I’m coming back to work on the rear differential, but I can pretty much do everything here.”
Besides tools and equipment, the shop includes Automotive Service Excellence-certified mechanics, who can help users troubleshoot problems and assist with specific issues. Many times, the staff mechanics will jump right in and turn a wrench.
“We’re not going to do the work for a customer, but we can provide instruction and guidance and make sure someone is doing a repair or maintenance the right way,” said Tom Woditsch, Fort Carson ASC manager. “This takes a lot of the uncertainty of a job for people and helps them feel more confident when they come back to do their next job.”
Woditsch is currently in Germany, as he traveled there on a short trip before the COVID-19 pandemic spread globally. He plans to return to Colorado when possible, but until then, he’ll continue to stay in contact with Hubbard and the ASC staff.
“Managing from afar has created definite challenges.” he said. “But, I was elated to learn that Army leadership decided to reopen the shop. This is an unprecedented time, and we had to figure a lot of operational things out to make it happen, but we want to provide this service for service members. With people being stuck at home they have limited opportunities to do something productive, so the ASC provides a lot of value. People can get out and do their oil changes, rotate their tires, replace brake pads, make repairs and have a rewarding experience.”
For now, the shop is open limited hours on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and strict pandemic response measures have been enacted to ensure customer and staff safety — all users must provide and wear their own gloves and face coverings, and staff deep clean and disinfect the entire shop following operational hours, for instance. Staff have also separated work areas (every other work bay is closed) to comply with social distancing guidelines.
“We’ve also restricted the types of repairs and maintenance that our customers can perform,” Woditsch said. “Normally, we get a lot of hobbyists who come to modify their vehicles or they’ll have special projects. That’s a vital part of our business, and we want to get those hobbyists back in, but for now we’re limiting work to just what is necessary to keep a car either safe or running.”
Though its easy to imagine a grimy atmosphere, people may be surprised to find a modern, state-of-the-art auto work shop when they walk through the doors. Woditsch has strived to create a showcase military installation facility. The shop features 34 work bays, including a complete frame and body shop, diagnostic computers, two full paint booths with paint matching technology, a four-wheel drive alignment machine, epoxy flooring throughout and complete tool sets at most work bays. Service members can also buy motor oil and other fluids from the shop on site.
The ASC caters to customers on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations are taken and all users must hold a DOD ID card and a Fort Carson shop card to use the ASC. To gain a shop card, users must attend a short shop-safety course, which is offered regularly.
For now, the ASC is open only to active-duty service members from all branches, but staff plan to open to veterans, reservists and civilians who have access to Fort Carson as soon as pandemic response measures are relaxed.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — The Fort Carson Auto Skills Center features 32 maintenance bays, many with vehicle lifts, which make oil changes and tire work faster and easier. (Photo by Scott Prater)
“The safety of Soldiers has to be our top priority,” Woditsch said. “Our staff has taken this seriously. We have to handle this the right way and show that we’re deserving of being one of the first recreational facilities open. That said, we’ve been surprised at the level of coordination between service members and staff.”
Visit https://www.carson.army.mil/ for information about hours, rules and restrictions.
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