Fort McCoy's first new barracks building since 1942, and first permanent barracks ever, is complete and will be open for soldiers' use later this month.      

The building marks the beginning of an effort to renovate Fort McCoy and improve the quality of life for soldiers stationed at the Army base.

The $6.8 million barracks was designed and built by Four Bears and TCI, LLC, of Elroy working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and funded by the U.S. Army Reserve.

The Tomah Jounal reports the building will hold 168 soldiers, compared to the older barracks which hold 50, and is the first barracks designed to be permanent.

Soldiers staying in the new barracks will have access to modern bathrooms with individual showers, laundry room, an internet café and an activity room. It will include eight semi-private rooms for senior ranking personnel along with eight self-contained bays that will allow male and female separation or unit separation.

Most importantly to soldiers training over the summer, the new barracks building will have air conditioning.