Kroc takes right tact

Not everybody is happy that the Kroc Center is raising its membership fees Oct. 1.

But we admit we are.

Simply stated, we think it's the most responsible - and civic-minded - way to address the community center's financial needs.

Fee increases range up to $7 per month. If this were a property tax increase for, say, the city of Coeur d'Alene, there probably wouldn't be enough space in the newspaper for all the angry letters to the editor. But because the Kroc Center has provided a welcome family fitness option for many, there hasn't been much complaining about the hikes at all.

The center's story is remarkable. When it opened in May of last year, supporters would have been pleased with 1,800 members. Today there is 10 times that number.

The Kroc has also become a major player on the all-important employment front, growing from a staff of 70 back then to 275 employees now. So on several fronts, the survival and success of this center is important to the community at large.

Raising fees is the best, most equitable option for meeting increased costs. It also keeps intact an important promise. Back when the center was a dream in the minds of a handful of passionate supporters, a massive fundraising campaign netted millions of dollars from the community. Further, as the project became more real, public property was donated and tax dollars spent for what is in essence a church. The promise was made that once it opened, the Kroc Center would support itself, and that's what the fee increases will attempt to do: offset a projected $400,000 budget deficit in 2011.

Users, not taxpayers, should make up the difference. The center should be required to compete on a level playing field with other fitness facilities whose costs also are increasing. And we appreciate the fact that Kroc management is not going to the general public for fundraisers. Kootenai County's many nonprofits are struggling the way it is, and a Kroc fundraiser would likely take critical cash out of other nonprofits' pockets.

Our community is indeed stronger and healthier with a Kroc Center in it. We applaud its management for being fiscally responsible.