For more information, please contact: Megan Beck Capital Campaign Manager Coeur d’Alene Kroc Center (208) 660-8504 www.salvationarmycda.org

The Salvation Army Northwest Division announced on May 1st, 2006 that the Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Kroc Center proposal was selected to received funding to build a Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Community Corps Center.   The Salvation Army Northwest Division will receive a grant of $60 million: $30 million for construction and $30 million for an endowment intending to sustain the center in the long-term future. 

Coeur d’Alene is the socioeconomic center of the five northern counties of Idaho. The region is one of the fastest growing areas in the nation, almost doubling its population in 15 years, from 112,686 in 1990 to over 200,000 today. The city of Coeur d’Alene has also continued to grow, with the population of 41,368 increasing almost 20 percent from 2000. All segments of the population have seen growth, particularly those over 62 years of age and those between 5 to 17 years of age.

A large low-income population of families, children and seniors dwells in this rapidly expanding area. Currently the city has no community center. A Kroc Community Center has the potential to provide individuals and families with hope and opportunity for mental, physical and spiritual growth in addition to recreation programs.

The Kroc Center in Coeur d’Alene will be located at intersection of Ramsey and Golf Course Roads, and will be the center of activity for the five counties of North Idaho. Programming for the corps will include worship services, Sunday school, programs for children and teens, Bible studies and women’s ministries. As a performing arts venue, the center can host Christian concerts, community plays, seminars and the Kroc Kids.

The leisure pool will provide a place for family activities and senior exercise, water aerobics, water therapy and tot swim lessons. The competition pool will include swim lessons, water safety instruction, free swim, competitive swim teams, scuba instruction and kayak lessons.

Other facilities will include a multi-activity gymnasium, game room, lounge and reception areas, community wing, indoor play area and party rooms.

The community is enthusiastic about the possibility of a Kroc Center in Coeur d’Alene and some pledges have already been received. The Northwest Division will conduct a capital campaign to raise an additional amount. The capital campaign will be to raise the incremental funds necessary to insure the center has the main elements the community identified during the planning stages, and to insure the financial independence of the center.

"Countless hours of thought and planning went into the development of our KROC proposal and we have so many people to thank for our success,” said Lt. Colonel Harold Brodin, Divisional Commander. “We are grateful to our community partners and to Mrs. Kroc for the opportunity to continue working together to make our KROC Center a place where kids and adults can grow and learn and be the person God made them to be,” said Lt. Colonel Brodin.