Kroc Center Membership Soars

COEUR d’ALENE -- Nearly 6,000 strong, strong.
Whether pumping iron, swimming laps or running in place, loads of locals are taking advantage of the Salvation Army’s new Ray and Joan Kroc Community Center.

Since its May 11 grand opening, 5,800 people have joined, the center announced Wednesday, meaning gym goers won’t be alone building a sweat or bulking up.

"The early response from the community has been unbelievable," said Maj. John Chamness, Kroc Center executive director. "It’s been much better than we thought. And we’re only a week and a half in."

The number of members nearly quadruples the center’s early estimates.

In 2006 it projected having around 1,500 members, with 650 daily users.

Chamness said it’s still too early to tell how many people pass through each day, but expects the high pace to continue.

After all, more amenities are on the way.
Starting Friday, the kiddie pool and lazy river --the poolside playland equipped with water slides -- will open up.

The high turnout shouldn’t surprise many members, who see it first hand.

"I go there every day and it seems like there’s always a line of people waiting to join," said Keith Erickson, who works out daily at the center.

"It offers such a diversity of things to do -- pool, cardio, indoor track -- everything you want in a health club, and they got it all under one roof."

To handle the influx of guests, the center hired 25 additional lifeguards Wednesday. That increases the total number of employees to around 125, a quarter of which are full-time positions and include benefits.

It could add more staff should the demand call for it, Chamness said.

"It will be a good economic boost to the community," he said.

by Tom Hasslinger
Staff Writer
Coeur d’Alene Pre