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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-13-2007 Salvation Army says St. Joseph County Kroc Community Center is a ‘go’ 1 The Salvation Army of St. Joseph County, Indiana 540 S. Carroll Street South Bend Indiana 46601 NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release Contact: Patti Phillips March 13, 2007 574-289-1066 X211 Salvation Army says St. Joseph County Kroc Community Center is a `go' SOUTH BEND, Ind., March 13, 2007 The Salvation Army of St. Joseph County, Indiana, announced today that its application to construct a Ray& Joan Kroc Corps Community Center (RJKCCC) at the existing Alonzo Watson Park on Western Avenue and Chapin Street(just west of downtown South Bend) has been approved by the Army's Territorial Headquarters.. Word of approval was delivered by Major James Nauta, Divisional Commander of The Salvation Army of Western Michigan and Northern Indiana, to the St. Joseph County Salvation Army, giving the local office the green light to continue plans to build a Ray and Joan Kroc Corp Community Center (RJKCCC) in St. Joseph County. Forty million dollars in Kroc funds are now reserved for the St. Joseph County project $20 million for construction and $20 million toward the required operating endowment. Before construction begins, the local Salvation Army must raise an additional $10 million toward the required operating endowment. According to Major Nauta, approval was especially meaningful in light of several challenges encountered as the application was being developed. "We are absolutely delighted to have received word of approval for the SJC Ray& Joan Kroc Corps Community Center," said Nauta. "The area in and around the proposed Kroc site at Alonzo Watson Park, with such a diverse population, has been underserved. We see great potential in the thousands of children, youth and families in St. Joseph County who will be uplifted and challenged by the spiritual, recreational and educational programs made available to them." Father Theodore Hesburgh, CSC, Honorary Chairman of the Kroc Endowment Campaign is enthusiastic about the impact this center will have specifically on the west side of South Bend. "I am delighted that The Salvation Army Kroc Center has received this wonderful gift which will enable so much good work to be done for our community." —More — 2— St. Joseph County Kroc Community Center gets green light "The Center will not only leverage an unprecedented $40 million gift for our community, but will also transform the lives of thousands of our children," explained Kroc Campaign co-chair, Joe Keman. "This is the opportunity of a lifetime." According to Kroc Center Administrators Captains Nick and Jodi Montgomery, The Salvation Army has already begun the quiet phase of its fundraising campaign. "This announcement is a tremendous boost to our already effective local programming," said Captain Nick Montgomery. "The opportunity to bring national resources both capital and operational, to our community will make it possible to offer expanded services, world-class programming and a state of the art facility. I'm overjoyed that this project is a go." "We began this effort in prayer, and we continue in prayer," added Captain Jodi Montgomery. Recreational facilities planned for The Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center at Western Avenue and Chapin Street include a playfield and other outdoor recreational areas, a community garden, a recreational aquatics center with waterslides and a lazy river, a climbing wall, a gymnasium, a teen center, fitness center, dance studio and full service conference center. Educational programs offered at the Kroc Center will include computer training, project-based learning for suspended and/or expelled kids, a math and science academy, parenting and literacy classes, tutoring, nutritional education, leadership development and character education. Also included are comprehensive fine arts and digital arts studios. The Kroc Center will house a recording studio and offer vocal and instrumental training, drama, dance, performing arts, and multi- cultural activities. The Center will have the capacity to stage concerts, symphonies, plays and dance recitals. In accordance with Mrs. Kroc's wishes and the Army's holistic mission, a worship center will be an important part of the proposed facility. "I look forward to the groundbreaking and opening day for the Kroc Center at Alonzo Watson Park," said Mayor Steve Luecke. "This facility will be a great blessing for our community and will provide the opportunity for all our children to reach their full potential. I'm grateful to Mrs. Kroc and to The Salvation Army for this gift. We are up to the challenge." The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church and has been in existence since 1865, supporting those in need without discrimination. For more information on the organization, visit The Salvation Army of St. Joseph County website at www.usc.salvationarmy.org/sjc. News media interested in more information are asked to call Patti Phillips at 616-460-7989(cell) or 574-289-1066 X 211 (office).