Public ‘awed’ after sneak peek at Kroc Center

May 21, 2008

By Kelly Wilson

Melitta Neill could hardly believe her eyes.

Neill was among about 75 people at a community meeting Tuesday night who got a glimpse of what the Quincy Salvation Army's Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center will look like.

She lives in the Lampe Hi-Rise, across the street from the Kroc Center site, and says she's been hearing a lot about the center from the Salvation Army's Maj. Alan Wurtz -- and wanted to see what all the talk was about.

"I'm surprised at everything they had in there," said Neill, who smiled broadly as Paul Luhn of the Salvation Army walked the audience through a virtual tour -- a computerized "fly-through" -- of the future facility.

"I think it's going to be really great," Neill said.

"It's state of the art," said Jony Shaw of Quincy. "It's something like you'd see in the future. I was just awed with what it's going to look like. I'm looking forward to it."

The fly-through revealed a massive, three-story facility with features that will attract all ages and diverse populations. The design features hundreds of windows to allow natural light into the building, and a welcoming, open space.

Wurtz says the center will be a "beacon of hope and a place for excellence for children and families."

A river theme runs throughout the building, including the upper floor shaped like a bridge deck.

The heart of the 88,125-square-foot center will be a 500-seat worship center that also will be used for Christian concerts, speakers, theatrical productions and other community events. Luhn said the stage has the capacity to accommodate an 80-piece orchestra.

Recreational features include an aquatic center with a water slide that's at least 25-feet tall, a lazy river, water vortex, zero entry wading area, lap lanes, a family spa and a waterfall that will cascade from the main level down to the aquatics center.

Other recreational features include a rock climbing/bouldering wall, a fitness center, walking track, 500-seat gymnasium, a game room, and a child watch area with an accessible outdoor play area.

The Kroc Center also will include a large community room that can be divided into two or three smaller rooms, with a an outdoor patio area. Two party rooms, classrooms, a commercial/teaching kitchen and a cafe/snack bar also are part of the design.

"It's amazing," said Donna Kistner of Quincy after watching the presentation. "It's going to be great for our kids and grandkids when they come to town, and you feel safe in a place like this."

Kistner, who attends church at the Salvation Army, looks forward to using the walking track and exercise equipment and can't wait to sit in the worship center.

"I'd like to see an 80-piece orchestra on that stage," she added. "I just wish it would hurry and get here."

The Kroc Center will be built on a 3.5-acre site bordered by Broadway, Vermont, Fourth and Fifth streets. Demolition has begun on the former Salvation Army buildings on the site.

Maj. Carol Wurtz, who along with husband Maj. Alan Wurtz are the Kroc Center's administrators, said the site is expected to be cleared by mid-July, and they hope the center will be ready to open in late summer 2010.

She thanked all those in the community who have been involved in the project.

"Lives will be changed because of what you've participated in," she said. "How grateful we are that you are invested in this project."