Redstone’s new Food and Beverage Entertainment Center, the new home for the 324-seat Challenger Bingo and the Rocket Grill restaurant, officially opened May 21.
The nearly 11,000-square-foot, $14.2 million Installation Management Command project is located at 3229 Acton Drive next to the Commissary in the northeast corner of Redstone.
“This project is part of MWR’s ongoing mission to enhance the quality of life for the Redstone community, but this one took a while to come to fruition,” Ed Nunn, director of the Garrison’s Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, said at the May 21 ribbon-cutting ceremony. “We first submitted this project for consideration in 2016, so that’s how long it took us to get started with this. And we’ve been advocating for it ever since, with folks from our Installation Management Directorate Sustainment, IMCOM headquarters, the Garrison, our senior commander here advocating for this for the last decade.
“We’re really excited to finally see its doors open today,” he said.
Challenger Bingo now has 324 seats, up from 240 at the old location, and the facility features tabletop electronic bingo units at every seat, brand-new displays and improved acoustics. Bingo 24, a credit-based bingo game that’s played separately from session bingo, is available.
Nunn recognized Directorate of Public Works and MWR staff members for their efforts. He said Randey Stanaland, an MWR project manager who retired in October with 45 years of service, has “been working part-time just to finish this project out.”.
“I appreciate the dedication of our MWR team – so Ed, Ben, Robert, I’m very excited for what you’re doing here already,” Garrison Commander Col. Erin Eike said, referring to Ben Howard, the business manager for Challenger Bingo and the Rocket Grill, and Robert Schumann, manager of the clubs at Redstone. She also praised the “phenomenal” teamwork of DPW on the project.
“I also want to thank the Redstone community because you all are the ones that made this happen, that made it come to fruition, making it such a successful program that we were able to do this,” Eike said. “So, thank you for your patience and support during the transition from the previous building to this new facility. Please enjoy the new dining and the entertainment offerings.”
“I just want to say, absolutely none of this would be possible without these people right here,” said Howard, pointing to the Challenger Bingo staff.
Bingo players didn’t waste time after the ribbon cutting, lining up to buy bingo cards.
Cynthia Gurley came with some friends on May 21, her fourth time playing bingo at the new facility. She plays bingo two to three times a week.
“I love the setup, I really do,” she said.
Bobbie Scroggins, who plays bingo once a week, has been to the new facility since its soft opening earlier this month.
“I love it because it’s so spacious,” she said.
The FBEC project has been “my and Ed’s dream for 10 years,” Howard said after the ceremony. He’s been with Challenger Bingo for 10 years after 10 years as executive chef at The Summit.
“It’s fantastic,” he said. “We finally got it here.”
Centennial was the contractor for the project.
The Food and Beverage Entertainment Center opens at 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and at 11 a.m. on Saturday. The Rocket Grill’s hours are 3-8:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Saturday.
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