KROC: Chamness offers his thanks

As we approach the third anniversary of the Kroc Center, and my final days as the Kroc Administrator, I have begun to reflect on what a privilege I have had these past eight years being involved with the Kroc Center and the Coeur d’Alene community. I can still vividly recall how our community competed against cities like Seattle, Tacoma, Everett, Denver and Oakland, just to name a few, and how our city won. I recently spoke in Vancouver, B.C., to leaders from 100 municipal-run community centers across British Columbia and I was asked, like I have been asked so many times before, how did Coeur d’Alene beat out all of those other cities?

The answer is simple. We have a visionary mayor and City Council members who saw a once in a lifetime opportunity and took it. They were willing to put their political careers on the line because they care more about this community and making it better than their jobs.

What’s the result? A community center with more than 16,500 members, 4,000 of which are on scholarships, ensuring that everyone has access. Middle-school students that every day after school can ride a free bus to the Kroc for a healthy snack, homework help and fun constructive activities. A new educational program called Press On that targets middle-school students to ensure that they get the encouragement and help they need to be successful in life. A theater, where performances from the Sacred Choral, Christian Youth Theater and the likes of George Winston and other international entertainers perform for our community. A state-of-the-art competition pool that has already seen local, regional and national records set by CAST and our masters swim team. And Kroc Church, where every weekend 250 people gather to worship.

There are also 235 people who found employment right in the middle of one of the worst recessions in recent history. Employees who live right here in our community and spend their well-earned paychecks to support our local economy.

None of this would have been possible without Mayor Sandi Bloem, Mike Kennedy, Deanna Goodlander, Woody McEvers and Ron Edinger. Thank you for dreaming big and helping us to accomplish the impossible that will leave a legacy for decades. Thanks for taking the risk to believe in something bigger than any one of us by making Coeur d’Alene better.

JOHN CHAMNESS

Coeur d’Alene