Kroc Center
Located on 16 acres, this magnificent state of the art Center stands as a beacon on a hill in the heart of the Phoenix South Mountain community. The Kroc Center is a safe and inviting place where our friendly staff (Kroc Krew) is excited to greet you and connect you with the myriad of opportunities and activities we offer in education, sports, faith, arts, recreation and life enrichment programs. The programs, as well as the facility, have been designed to stimulate the mind, body and spirit, to provide opportunity and hope, and to transform lives. Did we mention we have the largest indoor aquatic center in the state of Arizona?
Our Story
The Kroc Center has increased and enhanced the programs and services that were offered at the original Salvation Army facility which opened in 1968 at Broadway and 14th Street and has consistently served the community for more than 40 years.
Joan Kroc, wife of McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc, had a clear vision in mind: build state-of-the-art recreational and arts facilities in underserved communities throughout the nation to ensure that all individuals have equal opportunities to grow their natural gifts and talents. In 2003, Mrs. Kroc passed away, and entrusted to The Salvation Army the largest gift ever given to a private charity for the express purpose of building and endowing Kroc Centers.
In early 2005, twenty six communities in the Western United States applied to receive funding to build a Kroc Center. The field was then narrowed to eight cities, and Phoenix was chosen to submit a final application. On May 1, 2006 Phoenix was notified that it was one of six cities in the Western United States selected to receive a Kroc grant.
A fulfillment of Joan Kroc’s vision, the Kroc Center in Phoenix South Mountain, is a nearly $80 million investment in the community made possible by the gift from the late philanthropist Mrs. Joan Kroc, as well as the generous support of individuals, organizations and families. The Kroc Center is comprised of four major components: a center of worship and performance venue, an aquatics center, fitness and recreation center, and community center with gathering and events space.