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JCC completes multiple renovations to interior and exterior
DENVER, Colo., May 25, 2017 – The Robert E. Loup Jewish Community Center (JCC Denver) just announced its new name, Staenberg-Loup Jewish Community Center. The new name continues to include Bob Loup’s name to honor all he did to support the JCC, and also includes Michael Staenberg’s name, embracing all he has done to for the JCC over the past few years. The JCC is also finalizing renovations to the interior and exterior of the building and in the parking lots ensuring that the community center remains a place where everyone is welcome.
“It is an honor to be included in the JCC’s new name, and particularly, to have my name alongside Bob Loup’s, who was such an integral part of the JCC’s success for the past 47 years,” said Staenberg. “It is my belief that giving money is one way to provide support for an organization, but being generous with your knowledge, time and vision, like I have been fortunate enough to provide, can make a real difference. I am proud to support the JCC in these ways.”
Staenberg is a real estate developer and a member of the Jewish community. He spends most of his time working to enhance communities and acknowledges that it is especially important to support our local Jewish community and, ultimately, Israel. His passion outside of work and family is to be philanthropic, with a goal to inspire others to make a difference by whatever means they can. Michael has a passion for building and maintaining a Jewish community that is strong, vibrant and connected and, as such, has supported the JCC in Omaha, Neb., where he grew up, and in St. Louis, Mo., where he currently resides.
About a year ago, a mutual decision was made by Staenberg, Loup, and Loup’s wife, Robyn, to honor the contributions that Michael has provided to the JCC Denver while embracing and honoring Bob’s legacy.
“The JCC’s new name – Staenberg-Loup Jewish Community Center – is a beautiful reflection of two men with great vision and ability to act on their visions, honoring the past and creating a modernized JCC for the future,” said Robyn Loup, the wife of Bob Loup and a long-time supporter and current board member of the JCC. “Bob could truly pass away in peace, knowing that the beloved JCC is in such strong, capable hands.”
Michael took the lead at the JCC during a time of transition providing his own time and significant resources, and offering leadership at a pivotal time in the JCC’s history. Michael’s contribution to the JCC includes thousands of hours of support and millions of dollars donated. He has provided the JCC with guidance to create cost savings and has also offered a vision for the JCC to work towards, positioning the JCC for a successful future in the Denver community.
The recent renovations at the JCC Denver provide a best-in-class guest and member experience and include updating and opening up the lobby by removing the pillars; installing new automatic sliding front doors for easier wheelchair and stroller access; adding new security cameras and additional updated security features; installing a new HVAC system to keep the lobby at a comfortable temperature; installing modernized, energy-efficient lighting; providing increased seating capacity along with more natural light, and adding a Vaad-certified prepared foods kiosk in the lobby, which will provide a nice space for the community to relax and connect with others.
The exterior construction in the parking lots includes completely redoing the upper and lower parking lot by adding retaining walls, fixing underground pipes, removing the outside tennis courts to allow for more parking and adding security cameras. Together, the improvements will create wider parking spaces and more of them, 100 more to be exact. Additionally, the exterior of the JCC was just re-repainted and new signage, including the new name, was just erected. The renovations will help ensure that the JCC continues to be a place where everyone belongs and that can be used by the greater community for decades to come.
The Staenberg-Loup Jewish Community Center is located at 350 S. Dahlia Street in Denver. For more information, visit www.jccdenver.org or call (303) 399-2660.
ABOUT STAENBERG-LOUP JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER
The Staenberg-Loup Jewish Community Center (JCC Denver) serves the metro-Denver area through educational, social, cultural, fitness, sports and other programs that are rooted in Jewish values. The JCC Denver’s mission is to build a community, rooted in Jewish values, where everyone feels like they belong. The J’s four program areas focus on connection, community and well-being and include: a robust fitness, sports, tennis and aquatic center; Early Childhood Engagement, including an Early Learning School and a variety of programs for families; the Mizel Arts and Culture Center (MACC) which offers Denver Children’s Theatre, JAAMM Fest (Jewish Arts, Authors, Movies & Music), Denver Jewish Film Festival, Wolf Summer Theater Academy, Art Academy and adult art classes; summer camps including Ranch Camp and Camp Shai; intergenerational and older adult programming like the Grandparent Connect Group and Jewish Aging Mastery Program (JAMP). The JCC Denver is located at 350 S. Dahlia St. in Denver. For more information, visit www.jccdenver.org or call (303) 399-2660.
