Base leadership and members of the Yokoto Junior Enlisted Council prepare to cut a ribbon symbolizing the reopening of the Yujo Community Center and the opening of the Airmen's Center. The roughly $1 million project took about a year to complete. (Bryce S. Dubee / Stars and Stripes)
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — A year’s worth of renovations to Yujo Community Center were unveiled Thursday as the center reopened to the public.
The highlight of the $1 million project was the creation of a new Airmen’s Center within the Yujo, which was designed to give junior enlisted servicemembers a place to call their own.
The Airmen’s Center features pool tables, dart boards, a video game room, a dance floor and a sports bar serving beer and wine. It will be restricted to servicemembers grades E-4s and below, and their spouses, after 7 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
During the rest of the week, the center will be open to the entire base community but no alcohol will be served, said Tara Wagner, Yokota’s community centers director. Children younger than 16 must have parental supervision, she said.
"It’s a wonderful addition to the community, targeted directly for our enlisted troops," said Paul M. Floyd, marketing director for the 374th Force Support Squadron. "It’s been a long time coming."
The center’s design was based on plans developed by the Yokota Junior Enlisted Council, which provided input on the theme of the bar area and amenities.
"I’m amazed at how well the project turned out," said Airman 1st Class Chip Weed, the council’s president. He said he hopes the variety of activities will attract airmen and keep them on base if they choose to drink.
The council also is working with the center to plan a calendar of events, Wagner said.
During the planning, the council "asked for a lot," said vice president Airman 1st Class Phillip Webb. He said they got a lot more than expected and there’s potential for more, including an expanded drink selection and the addition of a restaurant.
