03-13-2007 $40 million Kroc center will shine as ‘a beacon of hope’

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o�sou TH F dx :J b W eFacE � � y� a 1, a2 1865 Office of the Mayor NEWS RELEASE March 13, 2007 10 a.m. Contact: Mikki Dobski, Director of Communications&Special Projects, 235-5855 or 876-1564 $40 million Kroc center will shine as `a beacon of hope' Mayor Stephen J. Luecke says South Bend is "up to the challenge" and the opportunity resulting from a$40 million grant to the Salvation Army that will create the Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in South Bend. Luecke gathered today(Tuesday, March 13, 2007)with Salvation Army officials and other community leaders in announcing the receipt of the grant at Alonzo Watson Park, on the southeast corner of Chapin Street and Western Avenue, site of the future facility. The facility is expected to include a 10,000-square-foot aquatics center/water park, a gym and climbing wall, a recording studio, a chapel and a greenhouse. "We cherish the life and promise of each child. This facility will be a great blessing for our community and provide the opportunity for all our children to reach their full potential," Luecke said. "This will be a place where families are strengthened, where creativity flourishes, and where dreams are nurtured." South Bend was one of only 10 Midwestern cities to pre-qualify for the grant in December 2004, including being the only city in Indiana The amount awarded is $5 million more than originally allocated. Half the project costs are for construction with the remainder supporting an operational endowment. For full details about the facility and today's announcement, visit the St. Joseph County Salvation Army web site at http://www.usc.salvationarmy.org/sjc But one last step remains before the dream becomes a reality. The community must raise $10 million—its matching share of the endowment -- to support the center's ongoing operation. Just as the amount of the grant increased, the challenge is $1.25 million more