Tue, October 26, 2010 11:59 am EST

Stellar Begins Construction on $10 Million Military Recreation Facility

24,600 square-foot Warrior Zone delivers on-base entertainment for military and families.

CONTACT: Allison Korman Shelton at 904-899-9818 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Oct. 26, 2010) - Stellar, a construction, design, engineering and mechanical services firm, has begun construction of a military recreational center at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), a joint military base of the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force located in Pierce and Thurston counties in Washington state. The Joint Base Lewis-McChord Warrior Zone, one of the first facilities of its kind, will provide single military personnel with a state-of-the-art multi-purpose entertainment facility where they can socialize, relax and dine.

"The Warrior Zone will provide our soldiers with on-base entertainment that really rivals off-base options," said Douglas Smith, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Installation Management Command, West Region. "Through diverse entertainment offerings and Stellar's cutting-edge design features, the Warrior Zone will be a place where military personnel can meet and unwind."

Stellar is providing architectural, engineering, preconstruction and construction services for the JBLM Warrior Zone, a project valued at $10 million. Construction of the 24,600 square-foot facility started in September, and is scheduled for completion in October 2011.

Key features of the JBLM Warrior Zone will include:

• Internet and video gaming stations: Gaming stations feature state-of-the-art Alienware units; avid "gamers" can participate in tournaments remotely via video gaming teleconference.
• A reservable "home theatre": Movies can be rented on site, streamed directly from online rental services or brought from home.
• Billiards tables: Multiple billiards tables offer traditional group play as well as the opportunity to compete in remote billiards tournaments via video camera.
• A restaurant, coffee café, lounge area and sports bar: All venues offer casual and comfortable group seating to create a relaxing atmosphere.
• A reservable outdoor gathering area: The outdoor gathering space is covered in translucent roofing for ambient lighting and features a covered patio with fire pit, beer keg refrigerator, grill, infrared heating units and televisions.
• Offices and a conference room: On-site office space provides administrative and meetings areas for the Army's Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS) program.

BOSS encompasses all military branches and includes bona fide bachelors, geographical bachelors and single parents. It supports their well-being by offering opportunities to plan and participate in community service, recreational events, and educational events. BOSS councils are comprised of single service members who identify quality of life issues and suggest solutions to the appropriate staff agency. One entertainment solution is the Warrior Zone.

The Warrior Zone is being built to sustainable design standards. In addition, the interior space will use postmodern design elements, such as exposed structure beams. Three-dimensional, trapezoidal "clouds" will be suspended from the ceiling on metal cables, furthering the entertainment complex's contemporary style.

"Our design team made a significant contribution to the branding of the Warrior Zone, the newest addition to military quality-of-life improvements," said Richard M. Lovelace, divisional vice president of Stellar's Commercial Division. "We are honored to bring this important project to fruition."

The entertainment complex is being built through the Army's BOSS initiative, though it is open to all members of the military. Nearly 15,000 soldiers and civilians - of which 4,000 are single or unaccompanied soldiers - work and live near JBLM North, the area of the base surrounding the new entertainment facility.