FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska - Fort Wainwright leadership rolled out the red carpet for the premier of the movie theater known as the Bat Cave at the Youth Center Wednesday. Although "A list" celebrities were not at the gala, garrison and Child, Youth and School Services leaders and staff, as well as eager teens, showed their support for the culmination of a year-long project to bring a quality movie theater experience to Fort Wainwright youth and teens.
"We have been waiting since last summer to celebrate this day and it's even better than any of us imagined," said Megan Brown, Youth Services facility director. "In the wintertime it will accommodate the youth when the weather is feisty and in the summertime it allows the youth the opportunity to view movies with their friends in an awesome theater."
The new theater features state-of-the-art surround sound, theater seating, a full-size screen and even a popcorn dispenser inside a racquetball court transformed into a cave.
"My favorite thing about the Bat Cave is that the youth have the ability to go to a movie with their friends and they don't have to pay the hefty price that they would at a theater in the community," Brown said.
While offering free movies and the novelty of a middle school and teen movie theater make for a fun project, the primary motivation for this venture was something much larger, said Tammy L. Ford, CYSS coordinator.
"We strive to create environments that are creative and interesting for today's Army youth," Ford said. "For this project, we looked at our target market and found that they were spending a lot of time at the theater downtown so we created an option for them here."
The Bat Cave is an example of the innovation and sentiment behind the Army Family Covenant, according to garrison leaders, and represents their commitment to supporting and honoring Soldiers and family members at Fort Wainwright.
The AFC is the Army's promise to Soldiers and family members to provide programs and services commensurate with their service and sacrifice to our nation and according to Ford, she and her staff are always looking for new and different ways to implement the AFC's intent.
Other examples of AFC impact here include new housing, a community center, respite care, discounts and expanded hours at Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation facilities and a savings of more than $600,000 in childcare costs last year for families of deployed Soldiers by offering them reduced fees at CYSS facilities.
The Bat Cave has been Ford's vision from the beginning and although the road was not always easy, she credits her staff, the design team and support from Command Sgt. Maj. Todd E. Wentland, garrison command sergeant major, with making her dream a reality.
"CSM Wentland stood beside me the whole way and believed in this vision," she said. "It looks even better than I thought it would. It's amazing."
Wentland's support was invaluable, Brown said. "He supported this program and the construction project from the get-go. He is a big supporter of the Youth Center and we are so grateful for him."
Brown said the Bat Cave will feature as newly released movies as they can get and that she will post a listing of upcoming showings at the Youth Center, list them in the FMWR "Bear" and in the Alaska Post.
"I'm really excited," Ford said. "You can go in there and you're in a completely different environment. It's a unique place to go and just have fun. My hope is that it's a memorable moment for the youth of Fort Wainwright who pass through here. I hope the youth have great memories of this theater from their time here."
"Movies with a Message," a series sponsored by CYSS and Adolescent Substance Abuse Counseling Service, also debuted at the Bat Cave Wednesday and will provide teens an opportunity to watch contemporary movies with important themes throughout the summer and allow them to talk about life issues and have an open exchange of ideas, said Linda Sheridan, ASACS counselor.
ASACS is a comprehensive program that provides education, identification and referral and treatment services to 12 to 18 year-olds in the military community and sponsors the "Movies with a Message" series to continue the work they do with middle and high schools throughout the school year, Sheridan said.
"Each movie has a specific theme that illustrates the message," Sheridan explained. "I just want (youth) to understand (how) to watch a movie and get the message from it. It's not only entertaining you, but it's a great way to give a message to someone and you should always be prepared to receive the message."
Wednesday's movie, "Freedom Writers," illustrated the theme of reaching your goals and earning respect and trust, she said.
Other movies scheduled in the series include: "Bridge to Terabithia," Wednesday; "August Rush," June 23; "The Great Debaters," June 30; "Hairspray," July 7; "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," July 14; and "The Secret Life of Bees, July 21.
The movies highlight themes including being the new kid, overcoming adversity and relationships and forgiveness, Sheridan said. "It's a relaxing and nice way to get really important messages to kids," she said.
For more information about the Bat Cave and upcoming movies, call 361-5437.
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