New state-of-the-art entertainment center set to open in Wiesbaden

By Karl Weisel (USAG Wiesbaden)April 13, 2010

New state-of-the-art entertainment center set to open in Wiesbaden
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New state-of-the-art entertainment center set to open in Wiesbaden
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New state-of-the-art entertainment center set to open in Wiesbaden
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WIESBADEN, Germany - Eleven months ago garrison leaders gathered to break ground for the new U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden's Entertainment Center in Hainerberg Housing. At that time project officials described their vision of a 27,000-square-foot venue offering a one-stop, state-of-the-art amusement zone.

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The grand opening is April 29 and everyone is invited to see the results of the around $10 million construction effort and to join the staff as they celebrate the opening of the new two-story facility.

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"We'll be providing the community in Wiesbaden with a great place where they can relax and bowl," said Jim Einhorn, USAG Wiesbaden Entertainment Center business manager. "I'm looking at this facility as being the focus of the community as far as entertainment - a place where people can come bowling, meet their friends, dine, play games or have a conference."

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Located next to USAG Wiesbaden's new lodging facility, slated to open later this year, and across from Army Community Service, the center offers easy access to a host of entertainment options. Besides the 16 bowling lanes which can be configured to feature various game options for individual and league play, community members can settle in to watch sports or music videos on television and giant, drop-down screens over the lanes.

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"We'll be hosting events that feature major sports attractions," said Einhorn, who managed the Wiesbaden Lindsey Air Station Bowling Alley in the 1980s and managed the USAG Heidelberg Bowling Alley for the past 17 years. "Or people can watch a concert by one of their favorite groups or persons."

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A Java Cafe, Strike Zone, upstairs dining and bar area, kiddie corner, pool and slot machine area, and a large conference room that can be sub-divided into three individual conference areas complete with projectors, screens, tables and chairs are among the many features of the new center. "We have a very large conference area that can be broken down into three conference rooms or one depending on the size of a group," he said.

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"This is the first Strike Zone that has a combination of a Java Cafe and Strike Zone," said Einhorn, explaining that with the coffee-friendly emporium opening at 7 a.m., lodging facility guests and local community members are welcome to stop by to start their day with one of several coffee blends and breakfast fixings.

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Unlike some other bowling centers, USAG Wiesbaden's includes solid, colorfully designed contemporary furniture and fixtures providing patrons with a very comfortable environment in which to hang out with friends and to just spend some down time.

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"I think this is one of the top entertainment centers," said Nancy McKay, an interior designer with the Installation Management Command-Europe's Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation Division. "The whole concept is very family oriented."

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Other upcoming future features include a Teen Zone with computers and different types of games, center-wide Wi-Fi accessibility and dance lessons such as line dancing, said Einhorn.

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"We'll have league bowling and tournaments. ... I think the community members will be very pleased to see that they got what they asked for," said Einhorn. "I think people will like coming in here and being able to sit and relax, use their laptops, have a cup of coffee and socialize."

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To better serve its individual and league bowlers, the center will also feature bowling balls, bags and accessories for sale. "We'll have a couple of ball drillers here as well," said Einhorn.

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Operating hours of the new center will be from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. weekdays and longer on the weekends, said Einhorn, adding that Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays will showcase different musical themes ranging from country to hip hop.

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With the center opening occurring during the Month of the Military Child, community members are invited to become better acquainted with the facility at a grand opening and Kinderfest (children's festival) starting at 3 p.m. April 29. Food, complimentary bowling, carnival games, door prizes and more will be featured during the Kinderfest from 3:30-6:30 p.m.

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