Salvation Army Tri-Cities Corps Opens Community Center Building

From The Salvation Army Tri-Cities Corp: After nearly two years of construction, The Salvation Army Tri-Cities Corps will officially open its new community center building in Newark (36700 Newark Blvd.) on Thursday, May 25 at 5 PM, with a ribbon cutting ceremony starting at 5:30 PM. The facility will service the area of Fremont, Newark and Union City.

“I’m extremely happy to finally see this dream become a reality,” said Major James Lloyd, Salvation Army Alameda County Coordinator. “We know this new building will provide greater assistance and greater hope to the residents of the Tri-Cities area.” The 11,000 sq ft Salvation Army Tri-Cities Corps Community Center will allow for an increase in social services assistance, create and expand youth and adult educational programs, and allow for more attendees of church services and programs. There will also be a commercial size kitchen to provide meal services on a weekly basis.

The new building is constructed on a 14-inch concrete foundation, which could withstand significant ground movement and could allow for continued services in the aftermath of any major Bay Area earthquake. "The Tri-Cities facility was designed to very high seismic standards, with consideration of the most recent earthquake shaking levels available at the time the investigation was conducted,” said Alan Kropp, president & principal engineer at Alan Kropp & Associates, a geotechnical structural engineering firm. Kropp concluded: “Thus, the building, including the community kitchen should not be severely damaged during a major earthquake so food services can be provided to the community after any needed clean-up of fallen objects and confirmation of functional utilities; no significant damage to the structure is likely." The new community center is located at the same site where The Salvation Army had operated its social services and church activities for more than 20 years until that facility was finally demolished in August of 2015. The Salvation Army Tri-Cities Corps has been operating its social services and church programs in a temporary facility since that time. The construction project has been primarily funded by donations through a $4.5 million capital campaign.

The Salvation Army Tri-Cities Corps is also seeking additional donations to purchase kitchen equipment and computers for educational programs. “Those additional funds would be helpful, especially if we want to open more classes and after-school programs in the future,” Major Lloyd said. “There’s also a fun way for the public to donate by purchasing a brick which will be used for a brickway in front of the community center.” The Salvation Army Tri-Cities Community Center’s social services office will be active on June 5, while youth programs will begin on June 19 to kick off an eight-week summer day camp program.

Image Courtesy of The Salvation Army