Our Roots
// OUR ROOTS
Missoula has long discussed the idea of a safe, year-round center where diverse, active recreational and social opportunities can connect people of all backgrounds. The needs we’ve identified include:
- A flexible and multi-use space to support healthy lifestyles in an equitable, multigenerational, and inclusive atmosphere.
- A space that can accommodate all ages, incomes, and ability levels.
- A space for growing a stronger and more connected community.
In the year 2000, the idea of a gathering space for Missoulians became a formal part of the community lexicon. The city-wide Celebrate 2000 forums selected a community center as one of three visionary projects. Seed money from Celebrate 2000 led to the formation of a citizens group to collaborate with Parks and Recreation. A community center was included in the McCormick Park Master Plan after extensive community input. That led to the development of the Currents Aquatics Center as phase one of a community center. The time has come to realize phase two with the addition of the Currents Center for Recreation and Creativity (CCRC).
The opportunity to fully realize a concept first crystallized over two decades ago is here. With an ever-expanding community, the need has only become greater. The citizens working group from 2000 grew to become the Friends of the Missoula Community Center. The “Friends” group has now matured into The Converge Foundation, a volunteer public 501(c)3 with the purpose of soliciting and receiving philanthropic funding to ensure that Missoula’s Center for Recreation and Creativity can realize its full potential.