Plenty of parking

COEUR d'ALENE - Parking is no longer a problem at the Kroc Center.

The new, $2.6 million garage with another 140 spaces, officially opened Monday.

"This will definitely alleviate a lot of the challenges we've had over the last two years," said John Chamness, executive director of the Kroc Center, who toured it Monday with project manager Steve Walker and Ben Markham, director of operations.

The one-level parking garage in the west end of the Kroc Center parking lot, combined with the original 353 space lot, gives the community building nearly 500 parking places.

They're expected to end what often was a frustrating search for drivers to find an open spot at the Kroc Center when there are events there, as well as adults working out and kids playing in the pool.

Chamness said there are a number of concerts at the Kroc Center, so those attending won't have to park far away.

"Instead of parking on Golf Course Road, they can park here," he said.

Kroc Project Park was largely funded by a $2 million grant from The Salvation Army Territorial Kroc Center fund. The remaining was funded by local Kroc Center building reserves.

The Kroc Center completed the project without raising rates.

The parking structure was designed by Architects West Inc., and the contractor was Goebel Construction of Spokane.

In celebration of this project, along with the completion of the new gym floor and the addition of new state-of-the-art fitness equipment, the Kroc Center will be hosting Kroctober - a week of free and low-cost family activities from Oct. 24-31.