Military

Finney Recreation Center named best in Europe

Oct 23, 2009

By Nathan VanSchaik, USAG Schweinfurt

SCHWEINFURT, Germany -- USAG Schweinfurt's Finney Recreation Center on Conn Barracks is the winner of IMCOM-Europe's Outstanding Recreation Program. The recreation center is just one of the three USAG Schweinfurt Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (FMWR) facilities to win the award. Ledward Library and the Auto Skills Center also received top prizes.

"I'm very proud of these honors that the facilities have won ensuring the services of our Soldiers," Mike Duday said, director of USAG Schweinfurt Directorate FMWR.

For Finney Recreation Center staff members and facility managers, the award comes with the territory. In the past three years, the recreation center was recognized as the best recreation center in the army, the Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS) program won best BOSS program two years in a row, and USAG Schweinfurt recreation specialist, Sylvia Joiner, received the top Department of the Army award for excellence.

"We offer a great product and a totally renovated facility," Joiner said, who is also advisor to the BOSS program. "Plus we have fantastic staff and the programs we offer are something everyone likes."

The award for Outstanding Recreation Program, which honors Army in Europe recreation centers on a range of categories, recognizes achievements in community programming, significant improvements, customer-guided programming, effective use of facility, training and publicity and promotion, according to Jim Mattingly, an IMCOM-Europe FMWR representative.

Finney Recreation Center received the top honor from a pool of the large garrisons in Europe.

Selection for the award was based on packages submitted by Army Europe recreation centers. Members from the Recreation Branch of IMCOM-Europe FMWR made the decision.

"I like the atmosphere and environment," said Sgt. Jessie DeBorja of Forward Support Company, 15th Engineer Battalion. "You can check your mail, gather your thoughts or catch a quick nap."

Finney Recreation Center offers free internet services, 25 computers with web cams, gaming computers, pool tables, DVD check-out services and special events to include trips, tournaments, and BOSS meet and greet forums specifically catered for reintegrating Soldiers.

The recreation center and its facilities are open to all valid ID cardholders but children under the age of eighteen must be supervised, said Joiner.

The next meet and greet is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 19 and Thursday, Dec. 3. BOSS is hosting a Texas Hold'em Tournament Saturday, Nov. 14 and a free pre-Thanksgiving dinner Wednesday, Nov. 25. All events are held at the Finney Recreation Center.