by Captain Raymond Erickson-King –
The Salvation Army in Richland, Washington recently opened its new outdoor basketball courts. Over 80 people attended the opening ceremony, including United Way board chair Rod Webring, KNDU-TV (NBC) account executive Tiffany Flager, Tri-City area regional Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Kris Johnson, and many others. Old Country Buffet and Pepsi donated the refreshments.
FLUOR (a leading engineering and construction corporation) Community Involvement Group helped put this $21,000 project together. It consists of two high school regulation basketball courts, six-foot exterior fence, paving the courts and striping and installation of basketball poles and rims. FLUOR saved The Salvation Army over $9,000 by overseeing (project managing) this endeavour.
The Richland Salvation Army currently averages between 40-50 kids daily at the youth drop-in center. The new basketball courts will add greatly to this program.