In 2004, the late Joan Kroc, widow of McDonald’s founder, Ray Kroc, donated $1.5 billion to The Salvation Army to fund the building of community centers across the nation.  Memphis was one of 27 cities selected nationwide to receive the Kroc grant. Fleming Architects, along with joint venture partners BRG3S and the Renaissance Group, teamed up with The Salvation Army to design and construct this state of the art community center. The Kroc Center houses programs for recreation, education, worship and arts. It includes an NCAA full size competition basketball court, sports turf field, outdoor soccer fields, multipurpose space, locker rooms, state of the art fitness center, 300 seat theater, demonstration kitchen, multi-use gathering areas, community meeting spaces, classrooms, worship areas, and an indoor aquatics facility. The aquatics facility is equipped with rehabilitation pools, zero depth play areas, a 25 yard lane pool, and an outdoor splash park. The center was designed to establish a connection amongst diverse community members, and has served as a center for self-improvement, community pride, and collaboration.