Document text
55 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, December 9, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend November 4, 2004 Community center decision nears for Salvation Army By JONEL ALECCIA Mail Tribune Medford Salvation Army supporters are crossing their fingers todayas a committee considers their bid to bring a $60 million community center to the city. "I took a swing and the ball is still in the air," said Bill Maentz, the Medford advertising agency owner who produced and presented the local proposal last week. Medford is among eight Salvation Army agencies vying for the chance to be Oregon’s choice to compete for a Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center grant. The grant, part of a $1.6 billion bequest from Joan Kroc, widow of the founder of McDonald’s restaurants, could pay up to $60 million to build and run a 100,000-square-foot complex on Medford’s west side. A 24-member task force is expected to decide today on a finalist and an alternate, said facilitator Maj. John Van Cleef. Proposals from Salem, Bend, Woodburn, Monmouth/Independence, Gresham, Portland and North Portland — as well as Medford — were submitted last month to the committee. "It’ll be hard," said Van Cleef, who was formerly stationed in Medford. "I don’t envy them at all." Advertisement Oregon’s entry will be one of about 20 submissions competing for an estimated $400 million available for seven to 10 Kroc centers in the Salvation Army’s 13-state western territory. Deadline for submissions is March 2005; final selections will be announced in May. Medford’s proposal emphasized community need and collaboration, said Maentz. A center here could house a low-income day care, youth sports programs, a theater, classrooms and auditorium space. Early advocates include Southern Oregon University, Rogue Community College and the Jackson County Health and Human Services Department, Maentz said. "I tried to focus on the new stuff," said Maentz, noting that an initial letter of interest included support from more than 15 local nonprofit agencies. The presentations were tough, acknowledged Maentz and Claudette Moore, a Medford City Council member who attended. "They gave us 20 minutes to ask for $60 million!" she said. Van Cleef, who won’t vote on the choice, said Medford’s presentation was well done. "In a very personal way, I was pleased and proud of how the community came together," he said. Advocates for Medford took hope from Idaho’s submission chosen last week. Task force members chose Coeur d’Alene’s bid to build and run a $40 million center, indicating that large metropolitan centers aren’t shoo-ins, Maentz said. "They really are looking at the smaller projects," he said. Reach reporter JoNel Aleccia at 776-4465, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities