By Ina Stiewitz

USAG Baden-Wuerttemberg Public Affairs

HEIDELBERG, Germany - After months of hard work, the Warrior Zone on Patton Barracks opens Friday and will offer a new place for Soldiers and their guests to hang out and socialize.

Multiple video gaming systems, a TV lounge with big flat-screen TVs, a computer room, and a multi-purpose room, which will be used as a chill-out area or club room with music and dancing on the weekends, will provide different ways for Soldiers to spend their free time.

"I recommend Soldiers stop in and take advantage of the Warrior Zone," said U.S. Army Garrison Baden-Württemberg Command Sgt. Maj. Annette Weber. "It’s a great place to blow off some steam, unwind, and have fun. In addition it’s open to not only young Soldiers but older Soldiers, too."

As a direct correlation to the Army Family Covenant, which focuses on providing the best quality of life, the facility is enrichment to the community.

The opening day’s program for the facility’s program that will be offered.

"The Warrior Zone is soon to open its doors and ever since I have heard about the plan to open a facility like this in Heidelberg, I was all sorts of excited," said Spc. William Perkins, president of the USAG Heidelberg Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers program.

"There has been a lot of ideas collected, surveys sent out and questions asked about how we can make this facility the best one around," he said.

The BOSS program will host a barbecue on the patio, beginning 5:30 p.m., with proceeds going to the BOSS program.

After the official opening ceremony, the cover band "Heads Up" performs live music and a disc jockey plays records in the club room, beginning at 7 p.m.

Gaming tournaments on the different video gaming systems start at 6 p.m. and movies are shown in the movie room at 8 p.m.

"The Warrior Zone is a great Army project," Weber said. "It shows our continuous effort to take care of our own, our Soldiers."

The new facility offers a good alternative to the Soldiers’ barracks.

"It’s very important to have a place like the Warrior Zone, especially outside the continental United State, because not only is it free but it’s an opportunity to meet fellow Soldiers of all ranks," Weber said. "The Warrior Zone is a place where Soldiers can relax on our installations."

According to Perkins, the Soldiers see what has been set aside for them.

"I know the hard work people have been doing will surely pay off," Perkins said. "I encourage every Soldier to come out and see what this Warrior Zone is all about."