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45 °F Forecast | Road Cams Saturday, November 13, 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 9, 2004 Medford No. 2 in race for grant Proposal for Salem’s Salvation Army edges out local community center application By JONEL ALECCIA Mail Tribune Medford came in second to Salem in a bid to bring a $60 million Salvation Army community center to Oregon, officials said Monday. A proposal from Salvation Army supporters in the capitol city will be Oregon’s first offering in a 13-state competition for funds from the legacy of Joan Kroc, widow of the founder of McDonald’s restaurants. Medford was chosen as the alternate site from among eight statewide applicants for a Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center grant. Third choice was a proposal that would have turned Portland’s Memorial Coliseum into a giant Kroc center, said Medford’s Bill Thorndike Jr., who served on the task force that made selections. "I was just very, very proud," Thorndike said of Medford’s presentation. Advertisement Salem’s proposal was similar to Medford’s in a couple of key ways. Both offered to build a 100,000-square-foot center to reach out to vulnerable children and families. Both asked for $30 million to build the center and $30 million to run it. But Salem’s larger population and lack of community resources nudged that proposal to the top, said Salvation Army Capt. John Van Cleef, who is coordinating the statewide nomination process. "With the state prison there, there’s a high rate of poverty and need. Those children and families struggle for an opportunity," Van Cleef said. "In Medford, there are opportunities. For example, there is Kids Unlimited. There is the YMCA." If any obstacle derails Salem’s bid before the March 2005 deadline, Medford would step up. However, Van Cleef said Salem appears to have a very sound project. Oregon’s submission will be one of 20 competing for an estimated $400 million available for 7 to 10 centers in the Salvation Army’s 13-state western territory. The funds are part of a $1.6 billion bequest from the estate of Joan Kroc, who died at age 75 in October 2003. Local Salvation Army supporters expressed enthusiasm about their second-place selection. Van Cleef will visit Medford on Wednesday to discuss the local role. "I’m very excited about being chosen as the alternate site," said Bill Maentz, an advertising agency director who prepared and presented Medford’s bid. "I have no idea what that means, but I guess we’ll find out on Wednesday." Van Cleef said he hopes that local organizers won’t let the process stop here, despite coming in second. "Medford has identified something that they believe could happen," he said. "My thinking is, let’s make it happen anyhow." If the 25 local nonprofits, government agencies and other entities that came together to support the community center application continue to collaborate, the project could become a reality, even without a $60 million incentive, Van Cleef said. For instance, Kids Unlimited is continuing to pursue plans for a $2 million center on the site of the former Medford Lanes bowling alley. "I think it’s a great opportunity that we’re all focused on one vision of improving the lives of kids and families in west Medford," said Director Tom Cole. Louise Dix, outreach coordinator for the city of Medford, agreed. "Hopefully we can take that energy and go forward," she said. "I think the collaboration is going to continue. It can only improve." 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