Ribbon cutting opens new Katterbach Recreation Center Annex

Story and photos by Bianca Sowders

ANSBACH, Germany (Dec. 19, 2017) – The new Katterbach Recreation Center Annex was officially opened Tuesday with a ribbon and cake cutting ceremony. This new facility is targeted for the Soldiers stationed in and around Katterbach; it is located next to the dining facility and will be offering food and beverages for sale, programs and events, gaming systems, big screen TVs, billiards and table tennis. Patrons must be 18 years of age and older to use the facility.

The building, originally designated as an enlisted club in 1983, was quickly turned into an AAFES concessionaire two years later in the street-side part. It housed the very first AAFES-concessioned Burger King in Germany until the franchise pulled out of Ansbach in September 2016. The back side of the building originally remained a small consolidated club until 2010, when another AAFES franchise moved in.

Its central location on Katterbach – close to the Strike Zone Bowling Center, the Fitness Center and the dining facility – make it a valuable upgrade to the quality of life of the Soldiers living and working in and around Katterbach and Bismarck Kaserne.

“This facility will offer our permanently assigned and our rotational Soldiers an opportunity to relax and unwind in a setting that provides them a variety of choices for their leisure time,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Derek Cuvellier of USAG Ansbach. “I encourage the leadership throughout the greater Ansbach military community to support this MWR endeavor allowing our Soldiers to have a place so conveniently located right here on the Katterbach installation, right in the heart of main street….I hope, as we open these doors, it marks the continuance of how we in the Ansbach garrison serve our community, and it all leads to making this the best Army Hometown in Europe.”

To see more photos of the event, visit https://www.flickr.com/photos/usagansbachphotos/sets/72157690510758714

Rec Center hours of operation:

Thursday, Friday, Saturday – 4 p.m.- midnight
Sunday – Wednesday- 4 p.m.-10p.m.