Five years ago, it was a dream. Wednesday, it will be under construction.
The campaign to bring the Salvation Army's Kroc Center to Augusta included raising $20 million locally to qualify for a $67.8 million gift that will not only build the center, but finance its operations through an ongoing endowment.
After Wednesday's 10:30 a.m. groundbreaking, workers will move ahead with 16 months of construction that will yield a diverse, 100,000-square-foot complex that will serve purposes that range from culture and recreation to social services and worship.
The 17-acre campus will be off Broad Street along the Augusta Canal.
The main building, with 75,000 square feet of space, will include a 400-seat performing arts theater and worship hall, a 280-seat community hall, an indoor aquatics center, a senior citizens lounge as well as classrooms for arts, music, education and recreational programming. Thirteen houses are also being incorporated into the project, located in the Harrisburg neighborhood.
This is a big day in the future of Augusta. A $100 million investment during a recession. I expect big things to happen in Harrisburg. The kids in the Augusta area now will have something extra to do. The Kroc Center will have rock climbing, 9,000 sq. ft. of water, splash park, and several water slides. One of the water slides being attached to the outside of the building and entering through the aquatic center. I also like the 7 acres of greenspace along the Augusta Canal. And the outside terrace overlooking the Augusta Canal for the adults.
Everywhere Kroc Center are built in america. They raise the property values of the surrounding area. Augusta should be proud our city was chosen by Joan Kroc. Only 31 cities in the united states were chosen. Some of them haven't started construction yet. Because they weren't able to raise the funds needed like Augusta did.
Taking bets on how long before it's "tagged" with a can of spray paint. (Oh, wait, gambling is illegal. Nevermind.)
We are so proud to have this coming to our area. If you ride the streets of Harrisburg, you can see that homes are already being purchased and renovated. It is a welcomed sight. Kroc Centers are known for revitalizing nighborhoods, and this is why Augusta National made it's generous donation to the effort along with many other private citizens. This will not fail because it is not set up to. Now is the time to invest in Harrisburg.
I am considering buying another home here for my family. I feel like many people will want to live near this valuable asset to our community. This is indeed a great investment in Harrisburg's future!
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