Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center - Chicago, IL
Awesome!!! Unbelievably, awesome is the only word that I can express to describe the beautiful new Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center located at 1250 West 119th Street on Chicago’s South Side. Last week, I was intrigued and decided to make a personal visit to view the facility. My impression was, “Oh my, this is just awesome!”
As you walk inside the front entrance, the enclosed glass water park for the children is in plain view. The little ones were giggling and enjoying their very own indoor water park, completely furnished with water slides and wading ponds. The front reception area was well organized with personnel to greet visitors and members to answer their questions. To the left was a room dedicated to our beloved senior residents. I was so thoroughly impressed by the entrance that I asked for a tour. The facility gives daily tours and I only had to wait a few minutes before one was scheduled to begin.
A young man approached the small curious group to give us a tour of the massive building. There is something here for every age group in your family! We visited the Teen Zone, where activities are scheduled daily for youth in a structured environment that helps them with development, socialization skills and provides homework assistance. There were music rooms, computer labs, art rooms, classrooms, a music band practice room, ballet studio, fitness workout rooms, Olympic-sized swimming pool, nursery room for the toddlers and much, much more! The basketball area hosts four courts! Yes, I repeat four full-sized basketball courts, and one of the courts is an exact replica of the Chicago Bulls basketball court, which has an indoor running track above!
The Church/Theater hosts non-denominational worship service every Sunday from 11:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. and offers Sunday School from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The Church/Theater is complete with a stage and can be rented out for various events, such as theatrical performances, weddings and fund raisers. Everyone is welcome to worship on Sunday with the Salvation Army and share the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The center offers: Sports and Fitness Center, Education Center, Aquatics Center, Indoor Water Park, Indoor and Outdoor Sports Activities, Performing Arts, Family Resource Center, Drop-Off Child Watch Services, Worship Services, Seniors Center and much more! Family memberships are available for reasonable rates for month-to-month, 3 months or annually. The center also offers Guest Day Passes for a nominal fee of $5/ Children 10 and under, $8/Youth 17 and under and $10/Adults 18 and over.
If you are a resident of the South Side of Chicago, I highly recommend that you visit this magnificent community center and participate either as a patron, volunteer or donor. Spread the word about this great place to family and friends. Here in one location–this awesome community center offers something valuable for every member in your family!
For additional information, please visit the Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center at their website at www.kroccenterchicago.org or call 773-995-0151. Enjoy!
