Senator Vincent Hughes: Hughes Applauds Progress on Salvation Army’s Kroc Family Center
Hughes Applauds Progress on Salvation Army’s Kroc Family Center
Final Steel Beam Hoisting Marks Pivotal Moment in Construction
PHILADELPHIA, September 28, 2009 – State Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-Phila.), applauded the Salvation Army’s progress on the construction of its Ray and Joan Kroc Family Center at the organization’s “Topping Off’ ceremony on Friday, Sept. 25.
Hughes, who was on hand for the event, celebrated the placement of the final steel beam of the 130,000 square-foot facility. Hughes was pivotal in securing a $3.45 million state grant to support the $69 million construction project, which is being built at 4200 Wissahickon Ave.
“The tough economic times that we are facing here in the Commonwealth make it all the more imperative that we invest mightily in families and communities," Hughes said. "This community and the families who reside here will be enriched for generations to come. The return on this type of an investment is immeasurable.”
Kroc Centers are part of a national initiative bequeathed by the late Joan Kroc, philanthropist and widow of McDonald’s restaurants founder Ray Kroc, to build 25 family “super” centers of opportunity, education, recreation, and inspiration throughout the United States as “beacons of hope” for troubled communities.
Upon completion the Salvation Army Kroc Center will sit on 12.4 acres located adjacent to the old Budd plant building.
Key features of The Salvation Army Kroc Center will include:
- The Sunoco Learning Center
- A Three-Pool Aquatic Center with an indoor water park, competition/training pool, and warm water pool, with a full range of aquatics programs run by renowned swim coach and founder of the nationally-recognized PDR swim team, Jim Ellis
- Performing Arts Center/Worship Center, Dance Studio, Music Studios, Rehearsal Rooms
- Film Production Room
- Fitness Center and Gymnasium
- Culinary Arts Job Training Kitchen with fully-functioning public café
- Classrooms for after-school, adult education, and job-training programs
- Community Farm and Horticultural Education/Job-training Center
- Multi-sport Athletic Field
- Youth and Senior Drop-in Rooms
- Early Childhood Education Center
- Social Services Center
Hughes stated that the Kroc Center’s economic benefit to the City of Philadelphia is significant.
Most immediately, the two-year construction project is stimulating $75 million in economic activity and supporting more than 320 jobs. When the family center opens, $12 million of economic activity will be generated annually, supporting 170 jobs each year. With the Kroc Center serving as an economic anchor, other development efforts are being targeted and planned in the surrounding areas.
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PHILADELPHIA, September 28, 2009 – State Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-Phila.), applauded the Salvation Army’s progress on the construction of its Ray and Joan Kroc Family Center at the organization’s “Topping Off’ ceremony on Friday, Sept. 25.
Hughes, who was on hand for the event, celebrated the placement of the final steel beam of the 130,000 square-foot facility. Hughes was pivotal in securing a $3.45 million state grant to support the $69 million construction project, which is being built at 4200 Wissahickon Ave.
“The tough economic times that we are facing here in the Commonwealth make it all the more imperative that we invest mightily in families and communities," Hughes said. "This community and the families who reside here will be enriched for generations to come. The return on this type of an investment is immeasurable.”
Kroc Centers are part of a national initiative bequeathed by the late Joan Kroc, philanthropist and widow of McDonald’s restaurants founder Ray Kroc, to build 25 family “super” centers of opportunity, education, recreation, and inspiration throughout the United States as “beacons of hope” for troubled communities.
Upon completion the Salvation Army Kroc Center will sit on 12.4 acres located adjacent to the old Budd plant building.
Key features of The Salvation Army Kroc Center will include:
- The Sunoco Learning Center
- A Three-Pool Aquatic Center with an indoor water park, competition/training pool, and warm water pool, with a full range of aquatics programs run by renowned swim coach and founder of the nationally-recognized PDR swim team, Jim Ellis
- Performing Arts Center/Worship Center, Dance Studio, Music Studios, Rehearsal Rooms
- Film Production Room
- Fitness Center and Gymnasium
- Culinary Arts Job Training Kitchen with fully-functioning public café
- Classrooms for after-school, adult education, and job-training programs
- Community Farm and Horticultural Education/Job-training Center
- Multi-sport Athletic Field
- Youth and Senior Drop-in Rooms
- Early Childhood Education Center
- Social Services Center
Hughes stated that the Kroc Center’s economic benefit to the City of Philadelphia is significant.
Most immediately, the two-year construction project is stimulating $75 million in economic activity and supporting more than 320 jobs. When the family center opens, $12 million of economic activity will be generated annually, supporting 170 jobs each year. With the Kroc Center serving as an economic anchor, other development efforts are being targeted and planned in the surrounding areas.
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