SALEM, -- Authorities broke ground Wednesday for a new community center that will bring enhanced educational, recreational and spiritual programs to Salem.

The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center will be built on a 10.65–acre property located at 1865 Bill Frey Dr. NE. and adjacent to a 22-acre city-owned nature park. Plans include a competition-size pool, a recreational pool with water slides, a 250-seat auditorium and chapel, a workout center, classrooms and a daycare facility.

The Salem Kroc Center was made possible by a $56 million bequest by McDonald's heiress Joan Kroc. The community also raised an additional $8 million, which was needed to begin construction.

"The opportunity for the Salem area to boost its educational, recreational, and spiritual resources through the advent of the Kroc Center is an amazing triumph for the Mid-Willamette Valley," said Kroc Center chairman Gerry Frank. "This once-in-a-blue-moon, nay, millennium, circum-stance for our kids, their parents and grandparents, gives each of us the chance to join in a legacy for the benefit of generations to come. As the only Center to be built in the Pacific Northwest, it will greatly enhance the livability of Salem for its patrons."

Sponsors include Bank of the Cascades, Brice's Catering, Deluxe Ice Cream Co., Costco, JC's Auto Repair, Kettle Foods, Mark Mueller of Grove Mueller Swank, CPAs, Mark and Laura Furlong of Send It Direct, McDonalds of Oregon and Southwest Washington, Northwest Natural, Prudential Real Estate Professionals, Star Equipment Rental and KBZY.