Pfc. Keith Collier, 1st Replacement Company, hands a plate to Sgt. Maj. Gary Fields, 2nd Infantry Division, during the grand reopening of the Camp Coiner’s dining facility. (Jimmy Norris / S&S)
CAMP COINER, South Korea — After 10 months of renovations, the dining facility at Camp Coiner reopened Wednesday, serving steak and crab legs to swarms of hungry soldiers.
Refitted with new plumbing, wiring, walls, flooring and ceilings, the $894,000 renovation was the first for the facility since its construction in 1979.
The facility also was redecorated with a sports theme and renamed the 1st Signal Brigade Sports Café.
The facility will primarily serve soldiers from 1st Signal Brigade, 1st Replacement Company, 94th Military Police Battalion and 524th Military Intelligence Battalion.
Soldiers eating during the inaugural lunch said they were glad it was finally open again.
“One nice thing is it’s close to our barracks,” said Pfc. Drew McGinley, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 41st Signal Battalion. He was one of several soldiers who said he was glad to be rid of the 30-minute, round-trip bus ride and long lines that were an everyday part of eating lunch at Yongsan Garrison’s Three Kingdom’s dining facility.
Chief Warrant Officer Lena Tull, 1st Signal Brigade’s food officer, said patrons can expect more changes in the future, including the addition of X-Box and Play Station games and weekly manager’s specials on the menu.
But some soldiers said the most important change has already been made.
“It’s open now,” said Pvt. Jaime Garcia, 41st Signal Battalion.
