SALEM COMMUNITY CENTER – THE HISTORY

Ground was broken Thursday, April 19, 2001, for the $9.5 million Salem Community Center next to Waterworth Memorial Park after close to two years of dreaming, planning and working.

Members of the Community Center Board, Salem Community Foundation directors, neighbors, architects, engineers, contractors, television and print news were invited when the first spade of soil was turned to begin construction of this long awaited dream.

Sprung from the minds of a long range planning committee headed by Foundation director Bruce Gordon as “wouldn’t it be great if…" ideas for the Center began to take root. Actually, a center to offer opportunities for recreation, education, and social activities to all ages was an idea that had been in existence for some 20 years but had never been deemed practical or possible.

The Foundation, with $9,500,000 from the McKeown Fund, revived the Community Center dream and made it happen. This unprecedented gift comes from the income from the Ruth Harkins McKeown estate, which during 1977 designated the Salem Community Foundation as the recipient.

When Foundation directors proposed early in 1999 that a center be built, an exploratory committee of local residents, elected officials and members of some nonprofit organizations was formed. Other centers within driving distance were toured. Local site locations were examined and undeveloped acreage in Waterworth Park was finally acquired.

Center Circle – Salem Indoor Sports Complex was added in October 2007 as a 31,780 square foot Indoor Sports Complex consisting of a gymnasium, field house, and snack/vending area. The entire $2.3 million complex was funded by the Salem Community Foundation (www.salemcommunityfoundation.org) as a gift to the community in celebration of the Salem Bicentennial and the 40th anniversary of the Salem Community Foundation.

Now the Center, with its indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi, wading pool, exercise facilities, locker rooms, children's fitness center, community rooms, catering facilities, walking and running track, field house, and gymnasia are outfitted with state of the art amenities.