Local Sailors, their friends and family members got a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to set up a haunted house, or in their case, a haunted hospital at Naval Base Point Loma (NBPL).

Around 60 actors and 25 construction volunteers helped create different themes in seven rooms within the old hospital, which is actually a basement inside the commanding officer's (CO) building.

The idea to turn what is now the basement into a Halloween hotspot was actually the CO's idea. Capt. Howard Warner, NDBPL CO, said he saw a new use for an old space.

"I saw a lot of junk being stored down in the basement," said Warner. "Once we started to get it cleaned up, we realized that there was an opportunity here to do something with it for Halloween."

The captain said [Morale, Welfare and Recreation]'s construction team took his idea for action and spent approximately 100 off-duty hours setting up the rooms to create the scene of a menacing hospital.

Aircrew Survival Equipmentman 1st Class Christina Cataldo said the rooms were more elaborate than expected.

"When we started walking around the last two weeks, we saw it come together little by little," she added. "It really did come together tonight way more than what I was expecting."

Cataldo has a bachelor's degree in industrial design technology with a minor in special effects and makeup. She said that getting to scare visitors on Halloween was a fun opportunity, and that she also appreciated the networking experience.

"You end up meeting a whole bunch of new people," she added. "It's very enthralling."

Warner said he hopes to make this year's event an annual occurrence.

"I extend the offer to those brave souls to try our haunted hospital and to help us shape next year's haunted hospital experience," the CO added. "I would also like to say that Naval Base Point Loma and its staff are very proud to host this event for all of our Sailors."

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