Ribbon cutting ceremony at @Eez facility

The plush, newly opened single sailor center dubbed “@ Eez” — from the military term “at ease” — at Naval Submarine Base Bangor is a tech Nirvana — a true sensory overload of computers, video-game systems, TVs and more.

The object of the $775,000 project that was three years in the making, is to give the more than 3,000 single sailors and Marines stationed at Bangor a way to entertain themselves while not on duty.

@ Eez was the brainchild of former Bangor commanding officer Capt. Duane Baker and paid for with grant funding.

Now stationed in Washington, D.C., Baker was able to attend the recent opening ceremony of the recreational facility. “It’s really something,” Baker commented. “Now that it’s open, word of mouth will cause it to explode with activity. “

There was more to Baker’s vision than just @ Eez, which is only the first phase in a construction project at Bangor’s Liberty Plaza.

The new $775,000 single sailor center at Naval Submarine Base Bangor Includes: 16 high-speed Internet computers Wireless Internet access for laptops and (PDA) users Mini movie theater with 17 recliners 7 big-screen TVs 15 multi-player gaming stations Three personal video stations Two phone booths Foosball and air hockey tables Two dart boards Four pool tables Multipurpose room for music and meetings Multiple lounge areas

Next on the agenda is a $300,000 food and beverage area. To be funded with private dollars, it will combine with the base’s resource center and ticket and tours outlet and be known as Bangor Plaza.

Port Orchard’s EHT Enterprises, an SBA-certified, Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), handled the construction of the @ Eez facility. Owned by AnnaLee Todd, EHT has found its niche in government rehab and remodel construction. The firm has successfully completed a number of those types of projects at military installations in the Puget Sound region, as well as some in the private sector.

“I’m very proud of the people that work for me and the product we are able to provide for our customers, the United States taxpayer,” commented Todd. “I’m a taxpayer too, so it’s personally rewarding that we can deliver on time and on budget.”

In spite of the fact Bangor was named the Navy’s top base by Navy Times in 2001, the biggest universal complaint among single sailors remains that there are few entertainment opportunities on base.

Bangor does have a strong reputation among Navy families for quality housing and recreational opportunities, but Baker also saw the need to accommodate and upgrade the facilities serving the large number of single personnel living on base.

Baker convened focus groups of young sailors and organized a team to travel to different bases. Using information gathered from those efforts, the plan for the new Bangor facility at Bangor was born.

Baker also made sure that the facility was designed with built-in flexibility, so that as the needs and desires of the base’s single personnel change, so to could the facility with a minimum amount of cost.

“I’m really pleased to see that they have done just that,” he said.