Asbestos Discovery May Seal Fate of Fort Bragg's NCO Club

By Alison Gonzalez

Published on July 18, 2007

The NCO Club – located across from the Mini Mall on Reilly Street in Fort Bragg, North Carolina – was immediately shut down in April to protect the health of workers and patrons after health inspectors found traces of asbestos fibers in the ceiling. The fibers are known to cause major problems in the lungs and can ultimately lead to mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer.

According to a statement by Fort Bragg Garrison Commander Col. David Fox, the club has met both state and federal regulations related to asbestos exposure and health. Tests in May indicated asbestos exposure in the air was far below North Carolina’s exposure limits, and therefore did not pose a health risk.

But the Defense Department has told Army commanders that cleanup and repair of the facilities should be carried out promptly.

Since the club was shut down, it has lost $9,500 a day. Officials are debating whether to spend more than $4 million to renovate the building or almost $10 million to completely tear it down and construct a new one.

Fort Bragg spokesman Tom McCollum said officials are considering all available options.

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