FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Mon, Nov. 16, 2009
Contact: Dawn Myron
Marketing Coordinator
Dawn_Myron@usc.salvationarmy.org
(402) 905-3526
Kroc Center Officially Opens for Business
On the heels of last week’s Dedication Weekend celebration and a week of tours, private rentals and staff orientations, The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center is officially open for business.
The Kroc Center’s hours of operation are: Mondays thru Thursdays, 5 am to 9 pm, Fridays 5 am to 8 pm, Saturdays 6 am to 6 pm and Sunday’s 1 pm to 6 pm. Sunday mornings Christian Education is offered for all ages at 9:45 a.m., and a Worship Service at 11 a.m.
More than a thousand area residents and visitors from around the community packed the Kroc Center this past week, joined by friends and family members, to tour this world class, 122,000 square foot facility, take advantage of pre-opening specials and sign up for memberships.
“In the past three days, the number of memberships sold has tripled,” said Tom Folk, Director of Operations. “Our guest-services staff deserves a pat on the back given the traffic we’ve seen around here since last week. It’s exceeded all our expectations.”
Folk added residents are swiftly taking advantage of membership specials, giveaways and promotions and said there’s been a very favorable response to the membership rate packages offered. “So far, feedback has been very favorable. Our guests are telling us they are extremely pleased with our rate plans and appreciate the flexibility and convenience,” Folk said.
Kroc Center staff members are gearing up for a much-anticipated Grand Opening/community-wide celebration planned for January 8, 9 and 10th. Celebration activities will include musical entertainment, giveaways, appearances by special guests, free classes and workshops, membership specials and much more.
Kroc Center neighbors Efren Centeno, 40, and his father, Ignacio Centeno say they feel extremely lucky to be living so close to this facility. “We are very excited for opening day,” said Centeno. “Everyone is talking about exercising and taking a class.….there is so much to do here.” Centeno added his sisters who also live nearby are happy about the opening. “They can’t wait to sign up for classes,” he said.
Key features of this $30 million, South Omaha center include a 3-gymnasium complex, aquatic center with zero-depth entry recreation pool, lazy stream, slide and a six-lane, 25-yard competition pool, state-of-the-art fitness center, education center, learning center, 600-seat assembly hall, 400-seat fellowship hall, chapel, outdoor festival plaza and stage, athletic fields and recreation areas as well as additional gathering spaces.
The Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center was made possible by a $60 million gift from Joan B. Kroc, widow of McDonald’s CEO Ray Kroc, and a $15 million local matching endowment campaign headed up by Heritage Services. The community center, in keeping with the mission of The Salvation Army, will provide programs and services designed to encourage positive, life-changing experiences for children and adults, strengthen families, and enrich the lives of seniors.
Omaha’s Kroc Center is the seventh to open across the United States and the first center to open in the Central United States. Other cities which have opened a Kroc Center include San Diego, CA, San Francisco, CA, Atlanta, GA, Coeur d’Alene, ID, Ashland, OH and Salem, OR.
For more information about Omaha’s Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center, please visit the Web site at www.omahakroc.org or call Dawn Myron, Kroc Center Marketing Coordinator at (402) 905-3526.
For more information about The Salvation Army, please contact Susan Eustice, Divisional Director of Public Relations & Communications, (402) 898-5908.
Media Releases
11/10/2009 Kroc Center Recognized by MOTAC
11/06/2009 $70M Community Center In South Omaha Boasts Variety
11/06/2009 New South Omaha Kroc Center Is Complete
10/22/2009 New Center Benefits Community
10/21/2009 Move-in Begings at Kroc Center
10/20/2009 Kroc Corps Community Center - Opening Soon
09/09/2009 Membership Rates Unveiled
08/31/2009 Popsicles in the Park
08/05/2009 The Salvation Army & Firefighters Fundraiser Event
07/01/2009 New Website Launch
03/12/2009 Omaha Kroc Center on Schedule
Media Coverage
11/02/2009 Salvation Army Marches to New Quarters
11/02/2009 Kroc Center Spot - Spanish (Sound Only)
10/22/2009 New Center Benefits Community
10/21/2009 Move-in begins at Kroc center