Bay Breeze Event Center opens Friday

Published Sept. 15, 2010
By 81st Force Support Squadron

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The long-awaited grand opening of the new $26.5 million Bay Breeze Event Center begins with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, 9:30 a.m. Friday.

The annual Keesler vs. Biloxi Bay Chamber of Commerce golf tournament starts at 11 a.m. A celebration begins at 4:30 p.m., with tours of the center, free entertainment and food, children's activities, prizes and giveaways.

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated the Bay Breeze Golf Course, destroyed the consolidated officers/enlisted club and inflicted significant damage to the base's community center.

After numerous brainstorming and planning sessions to restore and rebuild these activities, an idea to consolidate these three major activities into a state-of-the-art event center was born.

Located on the golf course across from the Bay Ridge housing area, the Bay Breeze Event Center will provide a myriad of services to Keesler personnel and the base's neighbors and surrounding communities.

The golf course features a par 71, 18-hole link with an expanded clubhouse and pro shop with brand name equipment and apparel. The tournament room, with snack bar and large flat-screen TVs, provides a comfortable environment for customers to relax and eat before and after play. Men's and women's locker rooms feature personal showers and dressing areas. The driving range and putting green are only two club-lengths from the clubhouse. Individual or group lessons are available at reasonable rates, and club/pull cart rental program is offered.

The golf course phone numbers are 377-3832 or 435-5297.

Also on the first floor, the community center offers many great programs, activities and services. Complete with two multipurpose rooms, two music rooms and a piano room, the community center provides space for adult classes in music and tae-kwondo. It's fully equipped with a game/billiards room and a cyberspace video game room with high-tech Internet, video and computer games. A 200-person capacity conference room is available for hosting any type of event or function.

The information, tickets and tours office in the community center area where customers can gather maps, brochures and purchase discounted tickets to family resorts and attractions such as Disney World, Sea World, Busch Gardens and other area attractions in the community center's information, tickets and tours office. ITT also organizes group trips to activities such as New Orleans Saints football games and Mardi Gras parades.

On the second floor, there's a casual dining area and ballroom with a breathtaking view of the Biloxi Back Bay. The 200-seat casual dining area serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Air Force Club members receive discounted prices when they dine in the restaurant or participate in a club-sponsored event. The ballroom can comfortably accommodate up to 500 attendees with 200 more in an overflow room. The ballroom and overflow room is equipped with state-of-the-art communication, audio equipment and training devices, making it an ideal venue for wedding receptions, conferences, graduation ceremonies, dances or special events such as birthday, farewell or anniversary parties. The club can provide catering services for any type of function. For more information, call 377-2219.

The collocated club is on the third floor. While sipping a cocktail or dining on the terrace, guests can enjoy the view of Keesler's flight line, golf course, marina and Biloxi Back Bay. The enlisted and officer lounges offer private parties, karaoke contests, Monday Night Football specials with the NFL ticket, bingo and other events. For more information on the collocated club, call 377-0545.