Construction began on a 24,600-sq-ft military recreational center at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, a joint military base of the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force located in Pierce and Thurston counties in Washington. The Joint Base Lewis-McChord Warrior Zone, one of the first facilities of its kind, will provide single military personnel with a multi-purpose entertainment facility where they can socialize, relax and dine.

Jacksonville, Fla.-based Stellar is providing architectural, engineering and construction services for $10-million project. Construction started in September and is scheduled for completion in October 2011.

The entertainment complex is being built through the Army’s Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers program, though it is open to all members of the military.

Key features will include computer stations, billiards tables, restaurant, café, lounge area and sports bar, outdoor gathering area, office space and conference rooms.

The Warrior Zone is being built to sustainable design standards and will feature contemporary design elements such as exposed structure beams and three-dimensional, trapezoidal “clouds” suspended from the ceiling on metal cables.