WIESBADEN, Germany - Less than one year ago, Army officials gathered to break ground on a state-of-the-art entertainment center that would bring a bowling center, lounge and much more to the local military community.
On April 29, the U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Europe District and Wiesbaden city officials were joined by hundreds of community members - children and adults alike - to celebrate the completion and grand opening of the Wiesbaden Entertainment Center, which took only 11 months to construct.
"We at the Corps of Engineers are proud to have been an integral part of the team that brought this top-of-the-line entertainment facility to the Wiesbaden community - where Soldiers can 'spare' some time to be with their families, or hang out with friends to keep them from feeling in the 'gutter,'" said Maj. John Drew, acting deputy commander for the Europe District.
The center boasts 16 of the most modern bowling lanes in all Europe, along with a Pro Shop, Strike Zone restaurant, video game room, children entertainment area, Java CafAfA, bar and lounge, dance floor, gaming area and meeting rooms that can be used for conferences or parties.
In fact, the center is only the second of its kind to be built in all Europe, said Col. Jeffrey Dill, USAG Wiesbaden commander. The other is in Vicenza, Italy.
"The first week I was here, the Herald Union had a picture of the Lord Mayor and Col. [Ray] Graham [former garrison commander] digging in this bare site," Dill said. "And today, I'm here to celebrate its opening with you. We couldn't do something like this without all of our key players."
According to Drew, the $8.8 million, two-story facility, completed on time and on budget, will be an important quality-of-life enhancement to the community.
"It's an understatement to say it was a lot of work, but somehow our engineers, architect and planners made it look easy," he said. "And even more, the building was constructed to attain a Sustainable Project Gold Standard Rating."
Dr. Helmut MAfA1/4ller, Lord Mayor of the city of Wiesbaden, also praised Army officials for the building's on-time, on-budget delivery.
"This is a beautiful building," he said "We build a lot in the city of Wiesbaden and I wish all of our projects could run this smoothly."
Located across the parking lot from the new lodge, expected to open in the summer, the entertainment center will not only serve the local housing community, but also lodge patrons who are within walking distance to the center as well as the Post Exchange and Commissary.
"The center will provide Hainerberg residents and future lodge patrons the ability to stay on post to eat and find entertainment - this is really important for the community," said Marlene Balzer, a recreation specialist with U.S. Army Europe.
Directly following the ceremony, the center's first patrons were invited to participate in grand opening celebrations including first ball, complimentary bowling, carnival games, door prizes, and Kinderfest, a children's festival held in celebration of the Month of the Military Child.
"It was essential that the opening of the center coincided with Month of the Military Child," said Balzer. "This opening gave us an opportunity to honor our youngest members of our military families in a way they would understand and enjoy. It lets them know we recognize they are making sacrifices other children don't necessarily make."
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