Roseburg Christian Academy has made local news recently amidst their efforts to restore and improve a beloved community space — the school’s track.
Donated to the school decades ago by a Glide Adventist Church member, the RCA track has always been a place of gathering, exercise and connection for the nearby Hucrest community.
Joyce Ann Perham, RCA Track Project head coordinator, recently shared that Glide Church, Winston Church, Roseburg Church and Turning Point Church members have been maintaining the track and the school’s other maintenance needs through volunteer work bees. However, they are also hoping for a more extensive renovation in the near future.
“If you visit the school,” wrote Perham in a recent fundraising letter, “you will see a rundown school ground, a track that is years past its glory days, pee wee soccer fields that have no green grass and a basketball court with no asphalt, just to name a few things.” But that isn’t the whole story. Part of the reason the grounds need updating is because they have been consistently used and shared with the surrounding community.
“What many do not know is that RCA has shared most of its green space and outdoor area with the Hucrest community," wrote Perham. "If you visit with the locals, they will share that they have learned to skate, ride their bikes, walk or run for their schools on our track. The track is still used to this day by young and old alike."
"Locals will share that they cannot remember when the track wasn’t there," she continued. "They’ll tell you about softball games and family softball throws, soccer games and more fun times that have brought so many fond memories. Many have shared that they appreciate how generous RCA has been to the community as our public schools have locked their facilities away from public access these days.” Generations of Roseburg residents have created lasting memories thanks to the use of RCA’s facilities.
In an interview with their local news station, Mary Korcek, RCA principal, shared, “I see kids and family out here all the time. We’ve had Special Olympics use the track, softball teams and soccer teams, so it is widely used. I don’t think a day goes by that somebody is not out there.”
Can a school track be a form of ministry? Perham thinks it can be. “We’re encouraging people in this community to get outside and get healthy. There’s so much more we could do with an improved facility," said Perham.
"What’s more important to me than anything is that we help the next generation and following generation to see Jesus when He comes, because we’re losing our young people," Perham continued. "If we can get them to see the importance of a healthy lifestyle and how it all works together spiritually and physically when our minds are clear, then I think we’ve done our job.”
You can learn more about RCA’s renovation project by visiting rcatrack.com.
