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Omaha Kroc Center opens today

Image courtesy Salvation Army of Omaha

By Katie Knapp Schubert

Omaha, NE – The Omaha Kroc Center is ready for business.

The Salvation Army's $60 million building in South Omaha opened Monday morning. The Center is named for McDonalds founder Ray Kroc and his wife, Joan. Joan Kroc left $1.8 billion to the Salvation Army at the time of her death. Her donation is being used to build Kroc Centers nationwide.

The Omaha Kroc Center is a two-level facility with a gymnasium, fitness and aquatic centers, an assembly hall, fellowship hall, and worship center. Eight classrooms and a computer lab allow the Salvation Army to offer classes in multiple subjects, including English as a second language. There are also three soccer fields and a festival plaza.

Kroc Center spokeswoman Molly Skold says partnerships are important to the operation of the new facility. UNO donated 60 computers. Duchesne Academy plans to use the aquatic center for swim meets. Skold says the Salvation Army is working with arts groups to bring events to the Kroc Center.

In pictures: The Kroc Center (photos provided by Omaha Kroc Center)