NEWPORT NEWS — The Navy has awarded HII a $78 million contract modification to build a workcenter designed to improve quality of life for sailors and shipyard workers at Newport News Shipbuilding.
Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) wrote in LinkedIn post that the funding is for the planning, design, and construction of a carrier refueling overhaul workcenter for sailors’ and shipbuilders’ use while assigned to ships in refueling and complex overhaul at Newport News Shipbuilding.
“The building will provide approximately 80,000 square feet of dedicated space near the ship that will include office spaces for sailors and shipbuilders, as well as a fitness center, counseling offices, and other areas sailors can utilize while executing RCOH,” the post read.
Plans are for construction to be complete by June 2026. NAVSEA said it is “committed to quality-of-service improvements for our sailors and shipbuilders at Newport News Shipbuilding.”
HII spokesperson Todd Corillo said the building will be located mid-yard, between the dry dock and the outfitting pier that support refueling and complex overhaul work. He said the process for selecting a contractor is underway.
Naval Sea Systems Command did not provide any comments by press time.
The work center is one of many recent announcements the Navy has made regarding improving the quality of life for shipyard workers and sailors assigned to ships in maintenance periods. Many of these efforts were made in response to a wave of suicides among Hampton Roads-based sailors.
Last year, the Navy announced a series of upgrades, including off-ship housing, free Wi-Fi and more access to food for USS John C. Stennis sailors while the aircraft carrier undergoes a multiyear refueling and complex overhaul at Newport News Shipbuilding.
Additional plans are also in the works. A vice admiral announced this month that the Navy is looking at creating 8,000 new beds for sailors in Hampton Roads and that 1,000-1,500 beds would likely be in Newport News.
Last month, the Navy and Newport News Shipbuilding announced the construction of a new parking garage that will bring 2,000 new parking spaces to downtown Newport News for use by shipbuilders and sailors assigned to the shipyard.
Josh Janney, joshua.janney@virginiamedia.com
