The Araby Youth Center formally opened during a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Aug. 30. The center is a result of the efforts of the Gulf Region Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Iraq, and its partnership with the local Iraqi government. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo.

The center is a result of the efforts of the Gulf Region Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Iraq, and its partnership with the local Iraqi government. Local dignitaries, including the Iraqi Minister of Youth Sports, formally opened the center during a ribbon-cutting ceremony, August 30.

The $2.5 million center, funded through the Iraqi Economic Support Fund, is the first of its kind built by the Gulf Region District’s Loyalty Resident Office. The year-long project included the construction of martial arts training rooms, a 25-meter swimming pool, a weight room, game rooms for billiards and ping pong, a cafeteria with kitchen and a computer center for Internet access and video games. For added security, the 10,000 square-meter site is surrounded by security walls.

“The Al Araby Youth Center reflects the immense pride and a genuine sense of accomplishment by everyone who worked on this project,” said Inez Bergerson, the Loyalty Resident Office project engineer. “The goal of all members of the project team, from the workers who cleared the site to the skilled craftsmen and engineers, was to build a facility for the enjoyment of the young Iraqis in this neighborhood. It is through the construction of facilities like these that Iraqi communities can join together and find hope for the future.”

The Iraqi-owned Silver Moons Company was the general contractor for the project. All of the sub-contractors were also Iraqi-owned companies, according to Bergerson. More than 65 local Iraqis worked on the project, providing a much-needed economic boost to the local community. The facility will have a full time staff of 30 employees.

The Gulf Region Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Iraq has completed thousands of reconstruction projects in partnership with the U.S. government and the Government of Iraq. Since 2004, GRD has completed 4,626 projects throughout Iraq valued at more than $7.2 billion, and has 287 projects ongoing.

(By Mike Scheck, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)