By Thursday, construction crews had only finishing touches to add to the structure, in the 4200 block of Wissahickon Avenue in Philadelphia's Nicetown section.
The facility features a massive aquatic center with an indoor water park for children and a competition-size pool, as well as a fitness center that officials say is comparable to any commercial gym in the area. There are indoor basketball courts, dance and exercise studios, a culinary arts center, and an education center with computer rooms.
The large athletic field has synthetic turf for football, baseball, soccer, and other sports, with a walking trail alongside. Adjacent to it is a pavilion with picnic seating for about 200.
At least 1,000 people are expected to use the facility each day, said Maj. Timothy Lyle, administrator for the center.
The center was the vision of the late Joan Kroc, widow of McDonald's restaurant founder Ray Kroc.
During a drive through San Diego in 1997, she saw people who were cut off from the city's prosperity. She later gave the Salvation Army $87 million to build a community center there. Inspired by the transformative effect on the neighborhood, Joan Kroc - who died in 2003 - gave the Salvation Army $1.5 billion to build similar centers around the country.
About 30 are planned, including one expected to be built in Camden in the next few years. Others are operating in Salem, Ore., and Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.
"Joan Kroc's vision was that this facility would inspire people just by walking into it," Lyle said. "She saw there was potential in everyone's life."
The initial grant was $72 million - $36 million for construction, $36 million for the endowment, he said. "We had to raise $30 million for the match. The campaign has gone well. We're getting to the final stages. We need $1.6 million to get us to the finish line."
Ground was broken in March 2009.
