The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting

The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center on the South Side of Chicago at 1250 W. 119th Street will officially open with a full weekend of public festivities on Saturday, June 16, and Sunday, June 17.  

The weekend will kick-off with a Grand Opening Ceremony and Ribbon Cutting on Saturday, June 16, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.  Joined by elected officials, hundreds of community residents, celebrity athletes, donors and supporters, The Salvation Army will cut the red ribbon on the state-of-the-art facility, which includes the largest array of sports, arts, educational and supportive programs for the public anywhere in the city in a single community center campus.  The audience will enjoy performances by The Kroc Corps Singing Company children’s choir, as well as the Kroc Corps Praise Dance Team and students from area schools will accompany the Salvation ArmyMayfair Corps Brass Band. 

An Open House will follow the ceremony from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.  This will be the first opportunity for the public to tour the building.  Demonstrations will be taking place in every area of the Kroc Center, showcasing the sports, aquatics, music education, adult education and other programs that the Kroc Center will offer. 
Saturday evening from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., The Salvation Army will host a free public concert featuring local church choirs and Kroc Center choirs.  On Sunday, June 17, The Salvation Army Kroc Corps will hold a special Worship and Dedication Service from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The Chicago Kroc Center has the potential to make a tremendous impact on the far South Side, with a particular focus on stemming violence, creating jobs and providing safe and enriching opportunities for all ages.  More than 250,000 people live within a three-mile radius of the site.  More than a third is under age 18.  About 2,500 people are expected to use the Kroc Center daily.