By Paul David Lampe

OAKLAND — The new facility for the Salvation Army in Oakland Chinatown is being refurbished and is almost complete, but it will take a few more months before staff and community members can use the building.

Although Major Grace Tse, Corps Officer for the Oakland Chinatown Salvation Army, was told the building would be finished at the end of July, she is still enthusiastic about the impending move.

After 22 years of running volunteer and social service programs out of the location at 380 11th St., the Oakland Chinatown Salvation Army will move into the new facility at 377 12th street. Although the building — directly behind the current center — is near completion, Salvation Army staff are uncertain of the date the doors will open to their five-story facility.

"I hope the building will be done in September," Tse said.

Tse remains optimistic, but staff at the divisional Salvation Army office are looking toward the holiday season for the opening.

"We are hoping for Thanksgiving, but our goal is earlier than that," said Stefanie Segur, district public relations director for the Salvation Army.

Despite the delays, the amenities of the new facility exceed anything that could be expected of the current facility.

Tse said the new facility will include a pool table; a computer lab for 25 computers; equipment for an exercise room; furniture and books for a library; kitchen appliances;

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furniture for a dining room and five big conference rooms; and games and furniture for a children's play room.

The new facility cost $4 million to refurbish and an additional $1.5 million for amenities. Tse said the organization plans to hold fundraisers to pay for the amenities.

"The money for this new building came from selling the old building," said Segur. "We were able to sell the old building for $3 million."

Although the old building has been sold, Salvation Army is continuing operations there until it can move into its new facility.

It's not just the staff that is looking forward to the new building. The new facility will be of great use to the community.

"The new facility is definitely good for us, because this Salvation Army gets involved in a lot of stuff," said volunteer Eva Zheng. "The summer day care has 240 to 250 kids enrolled."

Zheng said 50 more children signed up for summer day care, but there wasn't enough space to accommodate them. She said the new building will have more room.

Volunteer Lisa Leong, 56, said the new building will also be beneficial for seniors.

"St. Marks is our house for the elderly," Leong said. "It will be easy for them to come across the street to the building to have meetings and get a meal."

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held June 28 for the new building.

"We are very excited for this new building to be up and we are looking forward to catering to the growing needs in Oakland Chinatown and across the Bay," Segur said.

Segur said that the Salvation Army of the Del Oro Division, serving Northern California and Northern Nevada, is looking at opportunities to revitalize other facilities in the Oakland area.

Reach Paul David Lampe at plampe@bayareanewgroup.com or 510-208-6406.