SCHWEINFURT, Germany - Renovation of a state of the art multipurpose facility geared toward single Soldiers is scheduled to be completed by November 26, 2010 here on Ledward Barracks. The new center, known as the Warrior Zone, will include a bar, kitchen, a lounge, flat screen TVs, pool tables and several gaming stations among other amenities aimed at taking the edge off of the rigors of life in the Army.
"The concept is to give single Soldiers a place with high-tech equipment like Internet and gaming and give them a place to relax and socialize," said Silvia Joiner, the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation advisor to the Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers program in Schweinfurt.
The new Warrior Zone will replace Rohr\'s Diner on Ledward Barracks while Rohr's cafAfA will remain open, according to Dave Luellwitz, Schweinfurt's business and recreation division chief. The facility's official title, the Spc. Ross A. McGinnis Warrior Zone, was chosen in honor of the Schweinfurt Soldier who died in battle posthumously earning him the Medal of Honor in 2008.
The idea of the Warrior Zone was conceived as a result of Soldier surveys conducted across the Army, said Luellwitz. Ten BOSS focus groups from both stateside and outside the continental U.S. representing all ranks developed the "Warrior Zone" concept in an effort to deliver recreation services and programs to single Soldiers.
Though Schweinfurt's Warrior Zone will not be the first of its kind-there are facilities at Army garrisons in Heidelberg, Wiesbaden, Kaiserslautern and Grafenwoehr, for example-its reputation as a top-notch hangout precedes its grand opening later this year.
"It's been a huge success," said Paul Rosarius, the business manager for the Warrior Zone in Heidelberg which opened its doors in March earlier this year. "We have between 20 to 30 Soldiers in the morning and anywhere from 40 to 100 come in at night. All the facilities are in use." In fact, Rosarius and his staff are even looking to expand operation hours because Soldiers would like to have it open longer to better meet their needs.
The key feature of a Warrior Zone is its technology, said Joiner. It will boast wireless Internet, live action video, online multi-player competitions, home theater viewing and advanced sound systems. In addition to these notable features, the facility will cater to community-wide events, host live entertainment as well as facilitate special interest groups, classes, competitions and other activities.
The Warrior Zone and all its amenities will come at no cost except for food and beverages which fall under the "pay-as-you-go" category. The target audience is single and unaccompanied Soldiers, but will be open to all military personnel. Service members may sponsor one adult guest, 18 years of age or older, said Joiner.
Though operation hours have not been finalized, Joiner explained that she aims to keep it open longer than the Finney Recreation Center located on Conn Barracks. "The plan is to keep it open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and until midnight on weekends," she said.
For Soldiers who regularly use the Single Soldier center at Finney, the opening of a Warrior Zone is a welcome change for Soldiers, especially those living in the barracks on Ledward.
"I think Soldiers will use it, especially new Soldiers and those people who want to stay on post," said Pfc. Trevor Jenke of A Company, 44th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, a Finney Rec Center regular.
"Less people will get in trouble off post," added Pfc. Charity Gaze of A Co., 44th ESB. "Also, for Soldiers who drink, it's safer to drink on post and closer to the barracks."
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