The NEW “EPICENTER” (Bldg. 525) This project changes our current enlisted club to a true all-hands entertainment complex. Although we understand our core customer is the "A" school student, the design and features will allow for the entire Great Lakes community to utilize this mega-complex. The approximately $14M non-appropriated fund (NAF) project has been in the works for quite a few years but will bring in a 28 lane bowling center (added on to north side of the facility) and renovate all of the current customer areas within the facility. This includes bringing the Navy Motion Picture service to this location, allowing for movies seven days a week or upon demand, amusements/billiards and expansion of our food & beverage services, as well. In fact, we have just agreed to a franchise concept of “SPINZ”- handcrafted food. This will feature some of our current specialties like pizza, wings and burgers but also introduce a grab and go deli area and made to order Panini sandwiches just to name a few of our menu items. Of course, “SPINZ” will continue to provide free deliver, on the main base. The facility also has an area for live entertainment which will be programmed on a regular basis with comedians, bands, DJ, pay-per-view events and other special events throughout the year. This new mega-facility will be known as the "EPICENTER".

Exciting news and we now have a firm construction schedule for Bldg 525. It will be shut down for a period of time for renovations/construction on 8 September 2015. At that point, the construction period is about nine months with a grand opening in the Summer of 2016. Our plan to support the QOL of the A School Sailors and other major users of Pier 525, during this major improvement project is as follows: -Our pizza delivery service will continue as normal, however will be based out of an alternative MWR building on base--no changes, same phone number and same great pizza delivered hot and fresh. -Expand the Sam Adams restaurant (lower level) inside into the “Lakeview Room" to create additional area for eating called “Sam Adam’s Express” and will be a place to lounge and watch the game on numerous large screen TV’s . -We will be getting our MWR Rolling Restaurant out to various areas to help support group outings and general food service for base personnel. -During the warmer months, create a true patio experience at Sam Adams Brew Club from games/programs (karaoke, etc..) and a stellar food and beverage experience. -We are expecting and will be ready for larger numbers at The Loft (our Liberty Center-Bldg 2A). -We will also be actively promoting a free shuttle bus program to help transport people over to Rynish Entertainment & Bowling Center at Bldg 180 in Camp Barry. Expanded hours are included in the plan for Bldg 180. -We (MWR) will monitor hours of operation for all MWR facilities and are willing to expand where necessary.

These mitigations will not completely replace the fact that Building 525 will be offline, but based on the time of year, our other available MWR facilities along with the added elements mentioned above, we do believe we'll be able to support Student Sailors and base community during this renovation schedule. The true end state is the new “EPICENTER” (Bldg 525) which will be one of the most dynamic ALL-HANDS entertainment facilities in the entire Navy!