La Crosse Salvation Army planning expansion for first time in 30 years

Facility will, again, act as cooling shelter this summer.

The La Crosse Salvation Army is making plans for its first large expansion in almost 30 years.  

Major Jeff Richardson says much of the existing space is not adequate for the organization’s growing needs.

“We’re pretty cramped,” he said. “There’s day-to-day challenges with mixed groups of families and individuals.

“We’re thinking single-room occupancy would be a better approach than a dorm setting.”

From 9-10:30 a.m. today, the public is being invited to the shelter on 8th St., as part of the National Salvation Army Week celebration.  

The Salvation Army is asking a planning group to meet with community members, beginning in late June, to find out how the agency can better serve people’s needs.

Also, as the weather warms, the facility will, again, act as a cooling shelter. The organization did have some air conditioning problems last summer but not anymore.

“In the last couple years, we spent nearly a half-million dollars upgrading our air conditioning so that shouldn’t be a problem anymore,” Richardson said.