The Largest Community Center In The State Opens In Kapolei

Pictured (from left): Commissioner and territorial commander of Salvation Army's USA Western Territory Jim Knaggs, Col. Dave Hudson, Kahu Kordell Kekoa, U.S. Rep. Coleen Hanabusa, First Hawaiian Bank chairman and Kroc Center Hawaii steering committee chairman Don Horner, Salvation Army commissioner Carolyn Knaggs, Salvation Army divisional commander of the Hawaiian and Pacific Islands division Maj. Ed Hill, Maj. Shelley Hill and Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz perform the maile untying ceremony. Photo by Anthony Consillio.

The Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center is the largest community center of its kind in the state, and it has a lot in store for those in the West Oahu community. The Salvation Army community center celebrated its public dedication ceremony Jan. 28 and opened Feb. 1.

“All of the Salvation Army units are running already, but we’ll be able to run them in a much bigger magnitude with the Kroc Center,” explained Salvation Army development director Laura Kay Rand. “This is a community center unlike anything West Oahu has seen before.”

The 200,000-square-foot facility will feature a 500seat worship and performing arts center, and an education and resource center with four multiuse classrooms, computer labs and a game room.

There also will be a conference facility, a fitness center and an aquatic center, which features a competition pool, two slides, two lazyriver channels, a leisure pool and an interactive splash pad and water play structure.

An NCAA regulation gymnasium will include a 48-bed dormitory for overnight conferences and traveling teams, as well as a 3-acre park for outdoor sports activities.

Some areas are reserved for members only, but anyone can buy a day pass to use the facilities. A general day pass costs $14, with discounts for seniors and children.

Local politicians as well as Salvation Army representatives attended the public dedication ceremony. First Hawaiian Bank chairman and Kroc Center Hawaii Steering committee chairman Don Horner served as emcee for the event.

For more information, visit kroccenterhawaii.org.