Wind Creek Casino and Hotel opened its long-awaited entertainment center Thursday with a ribbon cutting.

The expansion that offers an eight-screen movie theater, a total of 20 lanes of bowling, a 45-game arcade, a sports bar and a coffee and self-serve frozen yogurt bar, was built with the community in mind, said PCI Property Manager Arthur Mothershed.

“It’s all about quality of life,” he said during the ceremony. “It’s a little bit of fun and a little bit of play.”

Tim Martin, CEO of Creek Indian Enterprises, said the center would benefit the community and no one was “prouder to see it open than CIE.”

“We believe economic development will float all boats,” he said. “It will help not only tribal members, but the non-tribal community as well.”

Martin said the entertainment center would continue to help make Atmore a “resort destination in southwest Alabama.”

Tribal Chairman Buford Rolin called the entertainment center “one of our largest endeavors to date.”

“It’s evidence of our commitment to tribal members and the community,” Rolin said. “We work hard to contribute to south Alabama and the state.”

Rolin said the center was another way the tribe has helped to provide employment during tough economic times.

Rolin and Mothershed cut the ribbon and allowed visitors inside to tour the facility, take in a movie, or enjoy the food.

Atmore Mayor Jim Staff called the opening of the center “fantastic.”

“It’s going to draw people,” he said. “It’s going to draw families because it gives everyone something to do.”

The Strikes bowling alley will offer a party room with four private lanes of bowling, in addition to the 16 lanes in the main room, said entertainment center Director Mark Vaughan. The alley will also offer “cosmic bowling,” which will feature glow-in-the-dark balls and pins with the games played under black lights.

The bowling alley is open from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Vaughan said bowling leagues would be open soon and more information would be released at www.windcreekatmore.com.

Vaughan said he was excited to see the turnout for the ribbon cutting because it could mean big things to come.

“If we have this turnout for the morning then I think we should have a really good weekend,” Vaughan said.

Carl Darby, of Monroeville and Ralph Pearson of Atmore enjoyed coffee at Overtime Sports Bar and Grill Thursday morning.

“I think this is a big asset for the community,” said Darby, a PCI tribal member. “This should keep a lot of teenagers off the street.”

Overtime Chef Colin Pinson said the restaurant offers all fresh products including a Worchestershire burger on a butter bun, pizza from a wood-fired oven, hand-breaded chicken tenders, wings and potato chips, as well as other food options.

“Everything we do here is fresh,” Pinson said.

Overtime has 125 seats, 32 television screens and a sushi bar. It’s open from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

The eight-screen cinema will show first-run movies and will offer tickets on www.movietickets.com, Vaughan said.

The cinema is open 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily as well and has three theaters with 3-D capability. First showings of the day will cost $5.50. Children’s and seniors tickets are $6.75 and adults are charged $8.75. There is an additional fee of $3 for 3-D movies.

Showtimes are listed on the cinema page at www.windcreekatmore.com.