Construction and renovation of Building 525 is underway at the Naval Station Great Lakes. This project will change the current enlisted club, Pier 525, to a true all-hands entertainment complex. Although the Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Department understands its core customer is the “A” school student, the design and features will allow for the entire Great Lakes’ community to utilize this mega-complex.
This also includes bringing the Navy Motion Picture Service to this location, allowing for movies to be seen seven days a week or upon demand. Additionally, amusements, billiards, and the expansion of the current food and beverage operation are all a part of the renovation. In fact, a new franchise concept of “SPINZ”- handcrafted food has just been agreed upon. This concept will feature some of the current specialties like pizza, wings and burgers, but will also introduce a grab-and-go deli area, and made to order Panini sandwiches, just to name a few of the new menu items. The facility will also have an area for live entertainment, which will be programmed on a regular basis with comedians, bands, DJ’s, pay-per-view events and other special happenings throughout the year. This new mega-facility will be known as the “EPICENTER”.
John Prue, MWR Installation Program Director said, “This facility has been in our vision for a number of years, and I’m very excited to see the project actually underway! It will combine a number of recreation, entertainment and hospitality components in a new state-of-the-art facility, which serve all ages and interests.”
The single largest NAF construction project is now underway and is a real interest item from the Fleet & Family Readiness Branch of Commander Navy Installations Command. “The true end state is that the new “EPICENTER” (Bldg. 525), will be one of the most dynamic entertainment facilities in the entire Navy, if not all of DoD!” concluded Prue.
