Dayton Kroc Center’s $6.7M expansion begins

Construction has started on a splash park at the Salvation Army Dayton Kroc Center that is part of a $6.7 million expansion project.

The new outdoor spray park, called Kroc Pond, will open by Memorial Day, in time to serve the Kroc Center’s summer day camps.

The splash pad will have spray rings, a fish water cannon, a tree shower, water buckets and ground fountains. The splash pad is being installed near an existing playground, with a large gazebo separating the areas.

MORE: Plans change for outdoor athletic facilities at North Dayton’s Kroc Center

But there’s so much more in store for the Kroc Center, which is located in the McCook Field neighborhood. This is the first major expansion to the Kroc Center since it opened in 2010. The project had an unofficial ground breaking Thursday.

The Salvation Army has put up fencing around a grassy, vacant property across the street from its campus along Webster Street. The Kroc Center is building a new outdoor recreation facility, which will have a soccer/lacrosse field, stands, a warehouse, concession stand and eight pickleball courts.

>> What is 'pickleball'? New sport coming to Kroc Center

“Kroc Park” will be built on on the old McGuffy Elementary School property. The school facility was torn down in 2012.

“Across the street will provide a community feel,” said Major Stan Senak, the administrator at the Salvation Army Kroc Center. “We plan to have activities that really bring the community together.”

MORE: Opening of Kroc center called ‘a great day in Dayton’

The Salvation Army is also building a new sign tower that can be seen from Interstate 75. The sign and recreation facility are expected open Labor Day.

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