Construction on the new Camp Perry barracks began shortly after the 2009 National Matches.

Two Ohio National Guard ceremonies on 13 October, one a Dedication Ceremony and one a Groundbreaking Ceremony, highlighted the most recent endeavors to make additional improvements to Camp Perry, which is the home of the National Matches and CMP North Headquarters. A photovoltaic solar field that is now producing power for the Camp Perry Training Center was dedicated and ground was broken for a new barracks that will provide housing for both National Guard Soldiers and National Matches competitors.

Ohio public officials poised to pull a ceremonial switch to activate the Camp Perry solar energy field included (l. to r.) Major General A. J. Feucht, Assistant Adjutant General Air, Ohio National Guard; Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur; Major General Greg Wayt, Adjutant General of Ohio; Deborah Hymore-Tester, Mayor of Port Clinton, Ohio; Jim Sass, Ottawa County Commissioner; Wes Fahrbach, representative of Ohio Senator George Voinovich.

Honored guests at the two events included Representative Marcy Kaptur (9th Congressional District of Ohio) and Major General Greg Wayt, the Adjutant General of Ohio. A number of state and local officials also attended. Camp Perry lies in Rep. Kaptur’s Congressional District and her support was instrumental in obtaining federal funding for both projects. MG Wayt’s leadership has been pivotal in initiating what is now a long series of Camp Perry improvements and in obtaining the funding to complete these projects.

Major General Wayt, Adjutant General of Ohio, spoke during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Camp Perry barracks.

The $3.37 million solar energy power generation field, which was under construction during the 2009 National Matches, was completed in August 2009 and is now generating power to supply Camp Perry needs. MG Wayt reported that the solar power generator has already substantially reduced Camp Perry utility bills. During the dedication, Rep. Kaptur spoke about her vision to transform northwest Ohio into an alternative energy leader and how the Camp Perry solar field is a major part of that effort.

Rep. Kaptur and MG Wayt join with other Ohio public officials in a ceremonial ground breaking for the new Camp Perry barracks.

Construction on the new barracks has just begun. Completion is scheduled before the 2010 National Matches. This $2.0 million project will provide a 9,340 square foot, two-story facility with 70 rooms that can house Soldiers two to a room and competitors four to a room. By design, the barracks rooms will be 16x16 feet, the same size as the present Camp Perry huts. The new barracks are part of a long-range plan to replace almost all of the World War II era Camp Perry huts, except for a small number that will be designated for historical preservations purposes.