MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- Are high prices giving you the summertime blues? Don’t have enough time to go off base to escape the hectic course of work?
The Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego recreation center is the place to go for affordable summer recreation and entertainment. Some of the most popular amenities the recreation center offers include: free arcade games; a gamer’s center that includes an XBox 360, Playstation 3; free wireless internet access; a movie theater; bowling and a snack bar.
Hearing about these offerings may make someone think, “All that glitters isn’t gold. What’s the catch?” The fact is, there is no catch.
“Our purpose is to serve the people here,” said Brenda Morishige, assistant manager of the recreation center. “We are here to keep them and their families happy.”
The recreation center is used for many occasions, such as going-away parties, periods of military instruction, graduation parties and for depot personnel to hang out on evenings and weekends.
“The good thing about it is that it’s generally cheaper, and it’s closer to the barracks,” said Ally Moorehead, an administrative clerk for the Recreation Center. “If Marines living in the barracks want to drink, they don’t have to worry about a DUI (driving under the influence charge) because they can walk back to their homes. It’s a safer alternative.”
To add even more fun, every Friday night they offer karaoke for free. After 5 p.m. on Fridays, it’s 18-years-old and up in the center. Those under the age of 21 can still participate in karaoke, however they cannot be at the bar.
To promote safe drinking they offer several incentives to designated drivers.
“We offer soda for designated drivers, happy hour food and all the Karaoke singing they want,” said Morishige.
For those who are shy, or don’t sing in public, the recreation center has other opportunities for fun. From 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. bowling is free for employees aboard MCRD on Fridays.
During the summer, the center has a special every Tuesday that they call Family and Kids Summer Tuesdays from 3:00 p.m. until closing. This special means, $1 per person bowling, free bowling shoe rental, free arcade games, free kids’ movies, and kids’ food specials. Some bowling alleys out in town can cost almost $4 a game or up to $22 an hour.
The recreation center is committed to keeping a little extra cash in pockets and providing a place to hang out with friends in a safe, family environment.
For more information on the recreation center, visit their website at www.mccsmcrd.com/SemperFit/RecreationCenter/index.html or call 619-524-4446.