FAST FACT:
(Memphis-11/23/09) The Salvation Army has a lot be thankful for this week. It now has the money needed to make a new 100,000 square foot community center a reality in midtown.
The area Salvation Army has secured $25 million in pledges to begin construction next year on the Kroc Center at the old Mid-South Fairgrounds.
Monday, contractors were looking over the property that is the future home of the Kroc Center to begin preparing bids for the project.
That means construction will get underway after the first of the year.
"We are hoping to have a contract finalized with a contractor in January and break ground as soon as they are ready," said Steve Carpenter, Director of the Kroc Center.
The Salvation Army was able to raise $25 million and will now receive more than $60 million from the Kroc Foundation to move forward with the project.
The facility, being built on 16 acres at the old fairgrounds, is the dream of the late Joan Kroc who was married to McDonald's founder Ray Kroc.
The director of the Memphis center says it will provide a variety of activities for all ages and groups in the community.
"If you look at aerial view we have wide variety. Orange Mound to Chickasaw Gardens, Cooper Young, Beltline, Goodwin and the country club, Central Gardens all within walking distance and is just perfect for what we want to do in bringing the community together," said Carpenter.
Along with two NCAA soccer fields and a regulation NBA court, the Kroc Center will include a fitness facility, massive water park and a performing arts center.
It will also offer art, music and dance classes.
It will cost about $25 a month to use the fitness center and aquatics center, but directors say they will make it affordable for everyone.
"If a high school student wants to join and doesn't have $25 a month they pay their portion by participating in school and showing they are actively involved in school," said Carpenter.
The Kroc Center will take up to 18 months to build.
For more on the Memphis Kroc center log on to
- Local Salavation Army raised $25 million in pledges for Memphis Kroc Center
- The Salvation Army will receive $62 million more from the Kroc Trust
- Construction on the Center will begin early next year
(Memphis-11/23/09) The Salvation Army has a lot be thankful for this week. It now has the money needed to make a new 100,000 square foot community center a reality in midtown.
The area Salvation Army has secured $25 million in pledges to begin construction next year on the Kroc Center at the old Mid-South Fairgrounds.
Monday, contractors were looking over the property that is the future home of the Kroc Center to begin preparing bids for the project.
That means construction will get underway after the first of the year.
"We are hoping to have a contract finalized with a contractor in January and break ground as soon as they are ready," said Steve Carpenter, Director of the Kroc Center.
The Salvation Army was able to raise $25 million and will now receive more than $60 million from the Kroc Foundation to move forward with the project.
The facility, being built on 16 acres at the old fairgrounds, is the dream of the late Joan Kroc who was married to McDonald's founder Ray Kroc.
The director of the Memphis center says it will provide a variety of activities for all ages and groups in the community.
"If you look at aerial view we have wide variety. Orange Mound to Chickasaw Gardens, Cooper Young, Beltline, Goodwin and the country club, Central Gardens all within walking distance and is just perfect for what we want to do in bringing the community together," said Carpenter.
Along with two NCAA soccer fields and a regulation NBA court, the Kroc Center will include a fitness facility, massive water park and a performing arts center.
It will also offer art, music and dance classes.
It will cost about $25 a month to use the fitness center and aquatics center, but directors say they will make it affordable for everyone.
"If a high school student wants to join and doesn't have $25 a month they pay their portion by participating in school and showing they are actively involved in school," said Carpenter.
The Kroc Center will take up to 18 months to build.
For more on the Memphis Kroc center log on to
