Salvation Army's Kroc Center in Salem given OK

    SALEM — One of six such facilities planned in the western United States — and one of manycenters nationally resulting from a $1.5 billion gift to The Salvation Army two years ago — the $50 million Mid-Willamette Kroc Center has been given the go-ahead.
   The May 1 announcement resulted from two years of work by Salem officials to win the grant.
    Groundbreaking is scheduled for Oct. 10 on a 10.6-acre parcel of land on Bill Frey Drive, just off Portland Road in northeast Salem. Currently owned by the city government but to be acquired by The Salvation Army, the site is next to a 21-acre nature park being developed by the city.
    The grant to the Marion/Polk Salvation Army will provide $25 million for construction and $25 million for an endowment to provide operating costs.
    The 84,000 square-foot Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Commmunity Center will include an aquatics center, recreation facilities including a gymnasium and fitness areas, a day care, classrooms for computer instruction and after-school programs, and The Salvation Army’s church.
    The Salem center was one of several approved for the Western states, according to the May 1 announcement by Salvation Army Western Territorial Commander Commissioner Philip Swyers. The other Kroc Centers in the West will be in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Honolulu, Hawaii; Long Beach, Calif.; Phoenix, Ariz.; and San Francisco, Calif.
   “We are thrilled with the news,” said Capt. Brian Saunders, coordinator for The Salvation Army in Marion and Polk counties. “This gift represents opportunities for children and families alike to have a place of safety and security — a place to play and to learn and to grow.”
   “This is a terrific opportunity that will have a positive impact on Oregon for generations,” said Major Robert Rudd, Salvation Army divisional commander in Oregon. The six Western centers are sharing in a $1.5 billion bequest by the late Joan Kroc, McDonald’s restaurants heiress. Her husband, Ray, built the McDonald’s chain into an international company. The money is being spread across the nation to build community centers. Each of  The Salvation Army’s four territories received an equal share of the gift, about $375 million, to distribute.
    According to The Salvation Army, the Kroc Center application process was very competitive. Site selections were made based on the following criteria: how well the proposals advance agency’s mission to meet human needs in Christ’s name without discrimination; implement Joan Kroc’s vision to give children opportunities they would not have otherwise; enhance under-served communities; cost-effectively develop high-quality Kroc Centers; and provide the best opportunity for long-term sustainability.
    Saunders said he was particularly grateful for the leadership and guidance of the Salem Kroc task force, led by Gerry Frank, Mayor Janet Taylor, Salem Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Mike McLaren, and Dick Withnell, owner of Withnell Motors.