Multi-million dollar community center completed in Nicetown neighborhood

By Aaron Moselle
Dozens of Philadelphia residents joined Salvation Army brass and government officials over the weekend to celebrate the completion of a new state-of-the-art community center.

By Aaron Moselle

Dozens of Philadelphia residents joined Salvation Army brass and government officials over the weekend to celebrate the completion of a new state-of-the-art community center.

More than four years ago, The Salvation Army of Greater
Philadelphia received a $90 million donation to help build and operate a Community Center. The money came from the estate of Joan Kroc, whose husband Ray started McDonald’s. More than $30 million was raised locally for the project as well.

On a windy Saturday, residents from the city’s Northwest section and beyond gathered at the Wissahickon Avenue address for a ribbon-cutting and tour of the Ray and Joan Kroc Center.

Pennsylvania state Senator Vincent Hughes, whose district includes the center, says the project sends the message that good things can happen in under-served communities.

“We had to get it done here to show other communities around the country, not just around Philadelphia, not just around the state, but you had to show communities from around the country that it can happen if you believe, if you commit yourself, if you get everybody working together.”

The sleek 130,000-square-foot center will offer athletic, educational and vocational programs. It will open to the public on November 1.