Lafayette National Guard Armory to Close

By Debbie Gregory

After 38 years, the National Guard Armory located at 1200 Russell Drive in Lafayette, is on the list to be decommissioned, and the facility will be closed.

According to the Tennessee Department of Military, the National Guard is decommissioning and closing several armories as part of a statewide initiative to consolidate units and rebalance facilities, which is expected to yield cost savings and improved efficiency. The majority of the Tennessee Army National Guard armories were built to support a 14,000 soldier force, which today is less than 9,000.

Lafayette Mayor Tony Day said he was notified last week about the decommissioning and that this unit will be consolidated with the Gallatin armory, once renovations are completed at that facility. “I talked to Lt. Col. Brian E. Celatka, who explained that they are consolidating some of the armories because unfortunately they don’t have enough participation to keep them going,” said Mayor Day. “He said this process could take up to a year. People have been asking about the building just sitting there with no activity, and I was told they have someone to come by and check on it often.”

When asked what would be done with the building once it was vacated, Mayor Day said Lt. Col. Celatka said they reach out to the city and county first to see if they are interested. “Although at this point we haven’t discussed anything financial, I told him we were interested. We’ve talked about a lot of different things that could be done with this facility once it’s empty, and I just want to make sure we put it to good use.”

“If anyone has any ideas, I’d be glad to hear them.”

The approximately 17,000 square foot National Guard Armory was built in 1987 by contractor Jack Stites of Cookeville, Tn., for $1 million, and it contains a drill hall, classrooms, administrative offices, a rifle range and a kitchen.