The United Service Organizations made history on Feb. 15 with the opening of the first-ever USO gaming center aboard a Marine Corps Base at Quantico, Virginia.
“Gaming is huge, this is the future and we are paying attention,” said USO National Capital Executive Director Lisa Marie Riggins. “We understood that to really support the population that’s there in the barracks and nearby schools, we had to have an enticing gaming space,”
Related
Marine Corps Base Quantico is home to two distinct populations. Military families live and their children attend school on what is known as the Main Side portion of the base. Marines train on what is dubbed Quantico West, where the USO opened a center in 2020. The new gaming facility is located on Main Side at 3049 Bordelon Street and stands ready to serve both families and service members.
“The crowing beauty is when you walk into this huge, vaulted ceiling space with a premier gaming center,” Riggins said.
Related
USO board member and Marine veteran Ben Nichols, who is president of Harkins Builders, took on the project, which began in September of 2021 and was completed in January, of bringing the center to life.
“In spite of supply chain problems, in spite of everything that was going on, we renovated a beautiful 5,500 square foot building into this premier gaming center,” said Riggins.
She said Razer outfitted the center with equipment that provides service members with an incredible gaming experience. In addition to 10 gaming consoles, the facility is also outfitted with big-screen televisions, computers, and lounge areas.
“This allows them to connect with anybody, anywhere in the world,” she said. “It truly is our mission, connecting service members to family, home, and country. Gaming fits squarely in that, the way that gaming has developed.”
The center was funded by donations from USO Metro board members, Riggins said.
Hours of operation are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.