About Us
The Salvation Army Kroc Center at a Glance
The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center is a 12.4-acre family support, education, recreation, and cultural arts center, made possible by a generous gift by the late philanthropist Mrs. Joan Kroc. The facility is open to members and the general public and serves residents of East San Diego, La Mesa and Lemon Grove with a variety of quality programs for individuals of all ages.
PURPOSE:
The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center provides opportunities that facilitate positive, life-changing experiences through: art, athletics, personal development, spiritual discovery and community service.
MISSION:
Motivated by God’s love, Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center’s mission is to meet the needs of the community through: Boundless Opportunity, Experiential Knowledge, Holistic Growth, Progressive Challenge, Relevant Skill and Meaningful Success.
Membership & Program Guide
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Location
The Salvation Army Kroc Center is located in Rolando at 6845 University Avenue. The location was selected for its accessibility to families and seniors. For more information please cal 619.287.KROC (5762)
Interactive Sitemap
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Aquatic CenterRecreational and lap swimming, lessons, water exercise, aqua therapy, aquatic sports programs and more fill The Salvation Army Kroc Center’s three heated pools with constant activity. The picturesque outdoor aquatics deck includes a 25-meter competition pool as well as a recreation pool. Adjacent to the gymnasium, there is an enclosed warm water therapy pool. Arthritis foundation aquatics programs and infant swim classes are popular in this 96 degree pool. |
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Education CenterThe Salvation Army Kroc Center is dedicated to offering positive life-changing experiences to children, teens, adults, and seniors. The Education Center provides many of these opportunities with an Internet-based library, visual arts studio, Cox Technology Center, study hall, classrooms, and tutoring rooms. Thanks to the generosity of The Ellen Browning Scripps Foundation, the Education Center also hosts FREE Family Literacy Nights in its comprehensive and inviting children’s library. |
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Family Services CenterThe Salvation Army Kroc Center’s Family Services department, administration offices, and a Head-Start Child Development Center managed by the Neighborhood House Association, are all housed in building F on the East side of the campus. Family Services offers scholarship discounts to those who cannot afford membership or program fees, resources and referrals, food assistance, case management, and educational classes such as parenting and money management. During the Christmas season, Family Services also sets up a warehouse and distribution location for The Salvation Army’s annual holiday food and toy drive in the Kroc Center’s Indoor skatepark. |
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GymnasiumA multi-use facility, the 56,000-square-foot building contains a fitness area with weight and cardiovascular exercise equipment, a group exercise class area, and a professional-size basketball court. The gymnasium floor is ideally suited for volleyball, table tennis, gymnastics, and badminton. There is also a large recreation area for foosball, video games and table tennis. |
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Ice ArenaThe Salvation Army Kroc Center is the only NHL regulation sized Ice Arena in Southern San Diego County! The Ice Arena offers public ice skating, learn to skate and learn to play hockey classes. There are also youth and adult hockey leagues. |
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Recreation Field, Challenge Course and Rock Climbing WallThanks to Kaboom, The Home Depot the NFL, and hundreds of volunteers, The Salvation Army Kroc Center proudly presents its newly renovated recreation field! The 55,000 square-foot field is used year-round by soccer and other outdoor sports leagues. It’s bordered by a challenge course with high and low rope course elements, and a 30-foot rock-climbing tower! |
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Indoor SkateparkDuring the planning phase of The Salvation Army Kroc Center, Joan Kroc asked local children what they wanted to see built on the campus, and she took their recommendations seriously! The Salvation Army Kroc Center Indoor Skatepark was added to the building plans at the request of the Kroc Center youth committee. The Skatepark is filled with several elements to challenge both beginning and advanced skaters, and includes a full half-pipe ramp. |
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Performing Arts CenterPerforming Arts Center: The state-of-the-art 33,000-square-foot Performing Arts Center consists of the Joan B. Kroc Theatre, dance studio, band and orchestra room, vocal and instrumental practice rooms and a large multipurpose conference room. The Joan B. Kroc Theatre can accommodate Broadway-quality shows with seating for 600, motorized orchestra pit, scenic arts facilities and dressing rooms. |
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Kroc ChurchThe Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center includes a church congregation who are motivated by God’s love to demonstrate the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs through: Boundless Opportunity, Experiential Knowledge, Holistic Growth, Progressive Challenge, Relevant Skill and Meaningful Success. |
History
The late philanthropist Joan Kroc donated $87 million to The Salvation Army in 1998:
$47 million was designated to build and equip the facility and $40 million was placed into an endowment to subsidize the Center’s operating budget.
Over 350 volunteers met for four years to plan the Center’s facilities and programs.
The Center is open to members and the general public. Facility rental, volunteer, and sponsorship opportunities are available.
The Salvation Army Kroc Center opened to the public on June 19, 2002. Special guests for the dedication included Mrs. Joan Kroc, Fred Rogers, star of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, local mayors, and key leadership of The Salvation Army.
Frequently Asked Questions
Name: The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center
Location: The Rolando neighborhood of San Diego, California (East County)
Owner and Facility Management: The Salvation Army– Western Territory
Facility Size: 155,765 square feet of building space on 12.4 acres, or 3 city blocks
Construction Cost: $57 million
Construction Time: September 2000 - June 2002
Construction Company: Roel Construction (www.roel.com)
Architect: Austin Veum Robbins Partners (www.avrp.com)
Annual Operating Budget: $7.9 million
Endowment Allowance: $2.5 million
Revenue Generating Responsibility: $5.4 million
Number of Members: Approximately 5,000
Average Daily Use: More than 2,800
Scholarships Provided: Over 600 families assisted annually
Number of Employees: 280 year-round jobs, with that number increasing to 325 jobs for summer programs
Q: Will there be more Salvation Army Kroc Centers?
A: Joan Kroc left The Salvation Army $1.5 billion for the development of 25-30 Kroc Center’s across the Country. She designed the gift so that communities wishing to pursue building a Kroc Center must raise half of the money needed for the project, to establish an internal community support structure. There are presently 29 Kroc Centers in different stages of development.
All future Salvation Army Kroc Center facilities will be developed through The Salvation Army in individual communities. Each Center will be owned and operated by The Salvation Army. Contact The Salvation Army Territorial Offices for additional information:
National Headquarters: www.salvationarmy.org
Western Territory - www.salvationarmy.usawest.org
Central Territory - www.usc.salvationarmy.org
Southern Territory - www.uss.salvationarmy.org/uss/www_uss.nsf
Eastern Territory - www1.salvationarmy.org/use/www_use.nsf
Q: Why did Mrs. Kroc pick The Salvation Army?
A: Mrs. Kroc and her husband Ray - founder of McDonald’s - were long-time supporters of The Salvation Army. During the 1950’s and 60’s, Ray volunteered as a bell-ringer and used to deliver hot coffee and hamburgers from his Golden Arches restaurant to bell-ringers along Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago.
Mrs. Kroc remembered hearing her family talk around the dinner table about how The Salvation Army helped people during the depression and has had a favorable impression ever since. She made her first large gift - in excess of $90 million - several years ago to establish the first Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in San Diego. That Center opened June 2002 to great success and Mrs. Kroc visited often. She felt that the Center exceeded her own expectations and was an ideal vehicle for her vision.
Volunteer Services
There are many areas at the Kroc Center where volunteers provide valued support and service. Volunteer opportunities are available in:
Administrative Office
Day Camp - Fall/Winter Camp Session
Education Center - Arts & Library
Family Services
Food Concessions
Maintenance Services
Party Hosts
Performing Arts - Kroc Kids
Special Event Support
Theatre Ushers
Tour Guides
Volunteer Athletic Coaches
Contact Volunteer Services at 619.269.1424
or e-mail kroc.volunteers@usw.salvationarmy.org.
Group volunteer projects can be arranged through Volunteer Services. Community Service for school and court is available.
Volunteers must complete an application, provide references and have criminal background checks before beginning an assignment. Child safety training is required. There are limited assignments for teen volunteers (ages 16 - 18). Parent Waiver is required for volunteers under the age of 18.