FAST FACTS:
danya.bacchus@wreg.com
(Memphis 09/17/2009) The piece of land at the corner of East Parkway and Central may not look like much now but in a couple years it will be home to an 100,000 square foot facility known as the Kroc Center.
"An indoor soccer field. It will have an NBA sized gymnasium, an indoor aquatic center. A state of the art fitness center. It'll have a banquet hall," said Salvation Army Major Mark Woodcock.
Memphis was one of only 25 cities in the United States selected to receive a center. The facility is the dream of Joan Kroc, the widow of McDonald's founder Ray Kroc. She had a vision for a place where everyone could come learn, share and grow together.
"To bring people together from different walks of life, different talents, different kids that want to theatre, adults who want to do theatre. Everyone and anyone who wants to accomplish similar things," said Woodcock.
16 acres of the oldfairgrounds have been bought for the facility. Now, all the Salvation Army has to do is raise 25 million dollars. They've raised 23 million, enough to start the demolition of the parking lot but construction can't begin until they get two million more.
"We are so close we can't quit no. We're committed. It is hard but we're moving forward everyday," said Woodcock.
Once they hit the 25 million mark, the Salvation Army will get a 60 million dollar gift from the Kroc Trust.
No tax dollars will go into a facility that officials say will serve the needs of all Memphians.
- Two Million Dollars Still Needed For Kroc Center
- 100,000 Square Foot Facility On Fairgrounds
- No Tax Payer Money Needed
danya.bacchus@wreg.com
(Memphis 09/17/2009) The piece of land at the corner of East Parkway and Central may not look like much now but in a couple years it will be home to an 100,000 square foot facility known as the Kroc Center.
"An indoor soccer field. It will have an NBA sized gymnasium, an indoor aquatic center. A state of the art fitness center. It'll have a banquet hall," said Salvation Army Major Mark Woodcock.
Memphis was one of only 25 cities in the United States selected to receive a center. The facility is the dream of Joan Kroc, the widow of McDonald's founder Ray Kroc. She had a vision for a place where everyone could come learn, share and grow together.
"To bring people together from different walks of life, different talents, different kids that want to theatre, adults who want to do theatre. Everyone and anyone who wants to accomplish similar things," said Woodcock.
16 acres of the oldfairgrounds have been bought for the facility. Now, all the Salvation Army has to do is raise 25 million dollars. They've raised 23 million, enough to start the demolition of the parking lot but construction can't begin until they get two million more.
"We are so close we can't quit no. We're committed. It is hard but we're moving forward everyday," said Woodcock.
Once they hit the 25 million mark, the Salvation Army will get a 60 million dollar gift from the Kroc Trust.
No tax dollars will go into a facility that officials say will serve the needs of all Memphians.
