New barracks at Ft. McCoy - WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and Sports

FT. MCCOY (WKOW) -- Fort McCoy opened new barracks on Thursday; for the first time in 70 years.

The rest of the housing there was built in 1942, for World War two.

And that's where troops still stay today when they go up for training.

After seven decades, there are a few upgrades in the new barracks.

Better insulation, better windows, and so we've got great energy efficient here, and it was also be a lead silver project and be certified as lead silver. That means that the leadership of energy and environmental, they look at the quality of these projects to make everything energy efficient," said Ft. McCoy Chief of Master Planning, Liane Haun.

The new building has 168-beds, internet access, lounge areas, and unlike other training barracks: it's air conditioned.

The cost of the project was $6.8 million and was funded by the Army Reserve.

The new barracks will host its first soldiers in training next month