HYPERLOCAL NEWS HUB BY THE UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS DEPARTMENT OF JOURNALISM
Kroc Center Close to Completion
By Dustin Azlin/MicroMemphis Reporter and Michael Lander/MicroMemphis Reporter
November 20, 2012
Kroc Center is set to open in February.
The Cooper-Young community will soon have a new neighbor once the Kroc Center complex is completed next year.
The Kroc Center is set to open Feb. 23 and will feature many different areas for members to enjoy, including an aquatics area, a fitness area and even an indoor Astroturf sports court.
Ty Cobb, program director for the Kroc Center, said the Salvation Army hopes to become an integral part of the Cooper-Young community.
“We are excited about being neighbors with you all,” he said.
One of the areas in the Kroc Center that excited Cobb was the set of challenge rooms. A first for Kroc Centers, these industrial-themed rooms will offer groups a chance to compete in a series of challenges in each room.
“Whole families will work together to get through the obstacle course,” Cobb said.
He said college and high school students will be on hand to help guide groups through the different rooms.
The Kroc Center project was the brainchild of Joan Kroc, widow of McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc. She donated $1.8 billion to the Salvation Army to be used to construct 27 Kroc Centers across the country. The Memphis center alone was an $80 million project. The Salvation Army purchased the land from the city for $1.5 million.
Jonathan Rich, Salvation Army area commander, said it was Kroc’s intention to bring diverse communities together using these centers.
“Our intent, and Joan Kroc's intent, from the beginning has been to be a center that brings people together for the common good of Memphis,” he said. “We think our location and space layout is ideal for bringing Memphis together.”
Kacie O’Kelley, recreation manager at the center, said she looks forward to the impact the center will have on the community.
“I’m so excited to see what it’s going to do for Memphis,” she said.
All Kroc Centers must follow two rules in order to receive cash from the Kroc fund. The first is that each center must be located in a diverse socioeconomic area. The second stipulation is that the centers must be on a main thoroughfare of the city.
Part of the operating costs of the Kroc Center will come from paid memberships to the facility. Individuals will pay $30 a month. A family rate is offered for $50 a month and covers four family members.
Rich said he is confident Memphians will sign up.
“We have a sense that many will want to join and use everything that this state of the art facility has to offer,” he said.
The center will employ 30-40 full-time employees in addition to part-time staff. Over 100 people will work there.
Cobb said everyone, regardless of religious affiliation, will be welcome at the center.
“You will find when you come in, an entire staff that is cordial,” he said. “You will feel respected, you will feel welcome.”
For a look at nearby Fairview Jr. High click here.
For a visual tour of the Kroc Center click here.
For Memphis Kroc Center's Facebook page click here.
All photos were taken by Michael Lander
The Kroc Center is set to open Feb. 23 and will feature many different areas for members to enjoy, including an aquatics area, a fitness area and even an indoor Astroturf sports court.
Ty Cobb, program director for the Kroc Center, said the Salvation Army hopes to become an integral part of the Cooper-Young community.
“We are excited about being neighbors with you all,” he said.
One of the areas in the Kroc Center that excited Cobb was the set of challenge rooms. A first for Kroc Centers, these industrial-themed rooms will offer groups a chance to compete in a series of challenges in each room.
“Whole families will work together to get through the obstacle course,” Cobb said.
He said college and high school students will be on hand to help guide groups through the different rooms.
The Kroc Center project was the brainchild of Joan Kroc, widow of McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc. She donated $1.8 billion to the Salvation Army to be used to construct 27 Kroc Centers across the country. The Memphis center alone was an $80 million project. The Salvation Army purchased the land from the city for $1.5 million.
Jonathan Rich, Salvation Army area commander, said it was Kroc’s intention to bring diverse communities together using these centers.
“Our intent, and Joan Kroc's intent, from the beginning has been to be a center that brings people together for the common good of Memphis,” he said. “We think our location and space layout is ideal for bringing Memphis together.”
Kacie O’Kelley, recreation manager at the center, said she looks forward to the impact the center will have on the community.
“I’m so excited to see what it’s going to do for Memphis,” she said.
All Kroc Centers must follow two rules in order to receive cash from the Kroc fund. The first is that each center must be located in a diverse socioeconomic area. The second stipulation is that the centers must be on a main thoroughfare of the city.
Part of the operating costs of the Kroc Center will come from paid memberships to the facility. Individuals will pay $30 a month. A family rate is offered for $50 a month and covers four family members.
Rich said he is confident Memphians will sign up.
“We have a sense that many will want to join and use everything that this state of the art facility has to offer,” he said.
The center will employ 30-40 full-time employees in addition to part-time staff. Over 100 people will work there.
Cobb said everyone, regardless of religious affiliation, will be welcome at the center.
“You will find when you come in, an entire staff that is cordial,” he said. “You will feel respected, you will feel welcome.”
For a look at nearby Fairview Jr. High click here.
For a visual tour of the Kroc Center click here.
For Memphis Kroc Center's Facebook page click here.
All photos were taken by Michael Lander
Dustin Azlin
Dustin Azlin covers public safety for MicroMemphis.
You can send him story ideas here.
You can follow him on Twitter @DustinAzlin.
See more of his work at dustinazlin.com/
You can send him story ideas here.
You can follow him on Twitter @DustinAzlin.
See more of his work at dustinazlin.com/
Michael Lander
Michael Lander covers Sports and Recreation for MicroMemphis.
You can send his story ideas here.
You can follow him on Twitter ( @memphiscyclist)