Salvation Army

Kroc Center in

Salem to debut

   SALEM — The long-awaited grand opening celebration for The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center, 1865 Bill Frey Drive N.E., will take place on Saturday, Sept. 26 beginning at 9:30 a.m. The celebration will include a ribbon cutting ceremony, tours, membership sales, live music and other local talent, a carnival, and the initiation of the 10-lane competition pool by Olympic Swimmers Mike and Lindsay Mintenko.
    Children and families are encouraged to attend. Auto and bus parking will be available at the Oregon State Fairgrounds and shuttles will be provided to the Kroc site. Attendees are asked to bring canned food for the needy. “After four years of dreaming, assessing, discussing, planning and fund raising, our new Kroc Corps Community Center will open the doors on Sept. 28 with a full range of programs and opportunities designed to promote wellness, encourage excellence, build character and inspire faith,” said Major Donna Ames, executive director.
     The only Kroc facility in either Oregon or Washington spans 10.65 acres adjacent to a 22-acre city-owned wetland park. The design of the building reflects the late Joan Kroc’s desire to offer underserved children an opportunity to excel while experiencing an environment of excellence. The 92,000-square-foot facility, certified energy efficient and environmentally “green,” features a waterpark — including a waterslide, lazy river and splash pads, junior Olympic competition pool, fitness center, gymnasium, community room, amphitheater, child care, and chapel/performing arts center
     A total of $80 million was invested in the new facility — $40 million to build and $40 million to partially endow the Kroc Center. The gift of $70 million from the Ray and Joan Kroc estate, coupled with the $10 million raised through local fundraising efforts, has “been one of the greatest and most broad-based community groundswell of support experienced by The Salvation Army in our capital city,” said Patricia Cuff-Smith, director of development for The Salvation Army in Marion and Polk counties.
     Major Jerry Ames, Marion/Polk Counties coordinator, expressed appreciation to the many who donated their time, talent and finances to this project. “Thanks to the vision and generosity of Joan Kroc and the support of literally thousands of local individuals, organizations, foundations and businesses we will be able to offer all of this in a state- of-the-art facility to children and families regardless of income … a place where kids and adults can grow and learn and be the person God made them to be.”
      For more information, phone 503-566-KROC (5762) or view further details at www.SalemKroc.org