MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- A new Best of Breed bachelors enlisted quarters is now home to 598 Marines and sailors at Camp Las Flores.  An estimated $48.6 million went towards the creation of the barracks compound, which was opened during a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Nov. 6.

As part of the Best of Breed initiative, the BEQ includes on-site amenities such as natural gas and charcoal BBQ pits, artificial turf, bootwash stations, horse shoe pits and volleyball and basketball courts.

The BEQ’s 6,400 sq. ft. activity building has an internet café, laundry facility, video gaming station, private kitchen, two pool tables and five plasma TVs. The dining facility will serve approximately 2,200 meals a day and seat 700 people.

Col. Nicholas F. Marano, commanding officer, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, hosted the ribbon-cutting ceremony and proceeded to cut the ribbon with a large sword, representing the history of the Marines of 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion.

“I would like to thank all construction workers for their blood, sweat and tears into making this facility what it is today,” said Lt. Col. Scott Leonard, commanding officer, 1st LAR. “This is what (Marines) want and this is what (Marines) have been waiting for.”

The Marines of 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, 4th LAR Battalion and 1st LAR Battalion will move into the 137,154 sq. ft. BEQ as early as next week.

During the construction process, 205,000 man hours were put into the building, said Lisa Troncatti, project construction manager, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Camp Pendleton.

Marano said there are about 57 active projects on Camp Pendleton including projects involving the construction of new barracks and renovations of others.