MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, S.C. -- No Rockers Down is widely known as the recreational center for the Single Marine Program on the Air Station, but now, it is time for a change, an upgrade rather. That upgrade is the new Marine Corps Community Services South Carolina recreational facility called Burners.
Marine Corps Community Services and the SMP are awaiting completion of Burners, which is currently under construction. It will be open to all enlisted personnel and officers of Fightertown and is located in the Air Station’s old dining hall. Burners is slated to have its grand opening June 5.
“‘After Burners’ is the new SMP facility scheduled to open May 2010 and is under construction aboard the Air Station,” said Sara Harold, the SMP assistant coordinator aboard the Air Station. “Burners is the temporary site until it is complete.”
Burners will have pool tables, shuffleboard, a movie theater area, dartboards and ping-pong tables. It will also have laptop computers that patrons will be able check out and a full-service bar, much different than to the desktop computers and smaller bar offered at No Rockers Down.
“We just want Marines and sailors to participate in the festivities of SMP events and to utilize the new facility and all it has to offer,” Harold said. “(MCCSSC and SMP) are expanding because we felt the Marines and sailors needed a better quality of life. With this new center, we are going to be able to offer them more.”
Harold said the structure of Burners will look like the old chow hall, but with some added embellishments.
Through the main entrance, there will be a huge check-in desk for the computers and other recreational items; the old sub-line is where the movie theater will be; the former noncommissioned and staff noncommissioned officers seating is going to be used for relaxing and for professional military education sessions; and across from the relaxation area will be the gaming lounge, where a Nintendo Wii, a Playstation 3 and an Xbox 360 will be available. “This new facility is our way of providing entertainment on base for not only single service members, but for personnel of all ranks,” said Shirley Martell, the SMP recreational manager for the Tri Command Communities. “We want to keep away from the troubles and dangers that occur off base by giving them a safer alternative on base.”
On the grand opening night, there will be free food and prizes, along with a live performance by Natalie Stovall and her band.
“I hope Burners generates excitement about the SMP,” Harold said. “I’m very thrilled about what service members will experience through Burners.”
For more information about Burners, contact Harold at 228-7405, or Gary Cassevah, the MCCSSC director, at 228-1530.